Powell's remarks indicate that any reductions in 2024 may come relatively late in the year, if at all.

As markets prepare for interest-rate reductions in early 2024, the president of the Atlanta Fed said he expects cutting to begin in the third quarter, at the earliest.

The central bank plans to move carefully, addressing both the risk of being misled by a few good months of data and the risk of overtightening.

"We will continue to move carefully, however, allowing us to address both the risk of being misled by a few good months of data and the risk of overtightening."

"They see an opening for no recession and a soft landing, and they think that is a risk they are willing to take."

The Federal Reserve's efforts to tighten financial conditions across the economy haven't made much of a dent in corporate America yet.

But the prospect of a future rate hike is still on the table.

The majority of FOMC members expect to enact another rate hike before the end of this year.