Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said recent signs of economic health would allow the central bank to take its time in deciding how quickly to continue reducing interest rates, including by potentially slowing down the pace of cuts.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will headline a busy week of central-bank officials’ public remarks on Thursday. Investors and economists will be listening closely for clues about the Fed’s interest rate decision for December and the outlook for policy in 2025.

Economists expect the Fed to announce another quarter-point rate cut in December, after a quarter-point reduction last week and half-point cut in September.

While speaking in Dallas on Thursday, Powell said economic growth will allow the Fed to tread carefully before making any rate cuts.

A strong economy is giving Federal Reserve officials room to move “carefully” as they lower interest rates, the central bank chair said.

Fed Chair Powell was pressed about how the central bank will alter its policy in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's victory last week. Economists think that Trump's proposals during the campaign,

Indexes slipped as traders zeroed in on remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who said the central bank is in no hurry to cut rates amid a strong economy.

Ongoing economic growth, a solid job market, and inflation that remains above the 2% target means the U.S. central bank does not need to rush to lower interest rates and can deliberate carefully, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Thursday.

Monetary policy could face crosswinds next year if President-elect Donald Trump fulfills his campaign promises to cut taxes, restrain immigration and deploy tariffs. Policy uncertainty may also be contributing to the Fed’s more inertial attitude toward lowering rates right now.