In remarks at a postmeeting press conference on Wednesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that policymakers are now equally attuned to risks from both sides of the mandate, and would proceed cautiously with future rate cuts to avoid reigniting rapid inflation.

Inflation just hit a five-month high in November and asset prices are smashing records. The Federal Reserve has been communicating its ambition to stamp out inflation for over two years and yet it’s about to cut interest rates as prices continue to move in the wrong direction.