Federal Reserve's December FOMC Statement: Key Changes and Powell's Speech Analysis

The Federal Reserve has issued its FOMC statement, noting that economic activity has slowed from the strong pace seen in the third quarter. Job gains have moderated but remain strong, while inflation has eased over the past year but remains elevated. The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate and will continue to assess additional information and its implications for monetary policy. The Committee is committed to returning inflation to its 2 percent objective and will adjust the stance of monetary policy if risks emerge that could impede the attainment of its goals.