Fed Poised for Rate Cut After Weak October Jobs Report and Hiring Revisions

The Federal Reserve is set to move forward with an anticipated 0.25% rate cut next week, following weaker-than-expected jobs data for October. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the economy added just 12,000 nonfarm payrolls last month, a sharp decline from previous months. Hurricanes Helene and Milton, along with a significant strike at Boeing, played a role in reducing hiring across multiple industries. Additionally, revised data showed downward adjustments for August and September, signaling a cooling labor market.

The October jobs report and recent revisions provide further evidence that the labor market has slowed from the high-demand levels seen in recent years. As inflation moderates, Federal Reserve officials see this as a favorable environment to begin loosening the restrictive rates they implemented to contain rising prices. The Fed lowered its benchmark rate by 0.5% in September, and it signaled intentions to cut rates gradually through the end of the year. According to Steven Blitz, Chief U.S. Economist at TS Lombard, the Fed is likely to reduce rates by a further 0.25% in both November and December, aiming for a target range between 4% and 4.25% by year-end.

Job market indicators have continued to soften, as shown in the Fed’s Beige Book, which highlighted flat economic activity across most U.S. regions since early September. Meanwhile, job openings have been steadily decreasing, suggesting that demand for new hires is easing. Although the U.S. economy expanded at an annualized 2.8% rate in Q3, driven by robust consumer spending, Fed policymakers remain cautious. Several officials have recently voiced a preference for a measured approach to further cuts, citing the mixed signals between consumer demand and labor market pressures.

The BLS reported that October’s labor market data was affected by temporary disruptions, but it could not definitively quantify the hurricanes’ impact on job additions. Even so, most policymakers and market participants agree that this report doesn’t alter the Fed’s previous position. Vanguard senior economist Josh Hirt commented that, aside from October’s numbers, the year-to-date data reflects a healthy labor market. However, with the Fed’s rate reductions expected to provide stimulus, officials remain attentive to the broader trends in economic activity and employment stability.

The Fed’s gradual approach to rate adjustments aligns with its broader economic strategy: while inflation remains a concern, the cooling labor market and job revisions provide the flexibility needed to support growth without risking excessive inflationary pressures. The Fed’s decision on November 7, just after the U.S. presidential election, will be closely watched as it marks a pivotal point in the central bank’s policy response to evolving economic conditions.