While citing strong growth at the start of 2019, Powell said the second quarter data raises some questions about what is otherwise a strong and health economy.
"However, growth in business investment seems to have slowed notably, and overall growth in the second quarter appears to have moderated," Powell testified.
Highlight: “The economy performed reasonably well over the first half of 2019,”says Fed Chair Jerome Powell while testifying on Capitol Hill. “However…cross currents such as trade tensions and concerns about global growth have been weighing on economic activity and the outlook” pic.twitter.com/fr4RBsyczp
— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) July 10, 2019
Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Jerome Powell: "Based on incoming data and other developments, it appears that uncertainties around trade tensions and concerns about the strength of the global economy continue to weigh on the U.S. economic outlook." $SPX $SPY #StockMarket #NASDAQ pic.twitter.com/xDm7LtjXog
— Value Nerds (@ValueNerds) July 10, 2019
“We see the economy as being in a good place,” Powell added, as he faced repeated questions from lawmakers about where monetary policy would go next.
Democrats also pushed the Federal Reserve chief to publicly repeat his declaration of earlier this year - that he would not let President Trump push him out of the Fed post.
Asked by panel chair Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) what he would do if the President told him he was fired, Powell calmly said he would not quit.
Highlight: “My answer would be no,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell says on whether or not he would leave if President Trump called and fired him. "The law clearly gives me a four-year-term and I fully intend to serve it." https://t.co/ObzMOMFjVy pic.twitter.com/B22nz61yHd
— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) July 10, 2019
“Of course, I would not do that,” Powell said in a low tone.
“My answer is, I would not do that,” Powell added, saying he fully intends to serve his four year term at the Fed.
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