The Federal Reserve is navigating a complex economic landscape as Chairman Powell's term approaches its conclusion. The latest U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report shows a 2.4% year-over-year increase in January, falling short of market expectations, while core CPI rose 2.5%, aligning with forecasts. Concurrently, the non-farm payrolls report revealed stronger-than-expected job growth and a drop in the unemployment rate to 4.3%. Despite these positive indicators, the Fed faces the challenge of managing inflation without disrupting the labor market. Having previously implemented aggressive rate hikes to control the 2022 inflation surge, the Fed has since reduced rates by nearly 2 percentage points since mid-2024, pausing further cuts in January. With signs of diminishing price pressures, economists anticipate continued inflation decline through 2026.