Odaily Planet Daily News Some Fed watchers expect Powell not to make a specific forecast for September, but to remind everyone that the Fed will now pay more attention to employment issues because the job market is weakening. The Fed has a dual mission of maintaining price stability and full employment. As the unemployment rate rises, the latter becomes more important and puts more pressure on the Fed to act. In July, the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, the highest level since October 2021. Luke Tilley, bond portfolio manager at Wilmington Trust, expects Powell to discuss the natural interest rate, also known as the "neutral interest rate," which helps the Fed understand the actual degree of restraint of its monetary policy.