Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell’s battle against inflation has hit a rocky road as a five-point economic threat looms large. Powell, who just recently felt he was making progress in managing inflation, now finds himself juggling multiple challenges that could impact the economy significantly.

At a press conference last week, Powell acknowledged the complexity of the situation, saying, “It’s the strike, it’s the government shutdown, resumption of student loan payments, higher long-term rates, oil price shock. You know, there are a lot of things that you can look at … so what we try to do is assess all of them and handicap all of them,” Powell said during his press conference last week. “And, ultimately, though, there’s so much uncertainty around these things.”

One of the most pressing issues is the ongoing United Auto Workers strike, which began on September 15th. The strike has already cost the U.S. economy over $1.6 billion in its first week, according to Anderson Economic Group LLC. The economic losses have been concentrated in states like Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, and Alabama, where plants have been shuttered, and workers laid off.

The situation may worsen if the strike continues, potentially spreading losses to more assembly and supplier plants, dealers, and customers across the entire United States. However, there’s a glimmer of hope as UAW President Shawn Fain announced the union’s determination to push negotiations forward.

Another significant challenge for the Federal Reserve is the surging crude oil prices, which exceeded $90 per barrel last week, marking a 15% increase year-to-date. This spike in oil prices has translated to higher prices at the gas pump, now averaging $3.86 per gallon compared to $3.68 a year ago, according to AAA. The U.S. faces reduced supply as OPEC and Russia cut production, further driving prices upward.

The impact of rising energy prices on consumers is a cause for concern. Powell highlighted this issue during a recent Q&A session, noting that energy prices play a crucial role in consumer sentiment and spending. The consumer price index for August showed a 10.6% increase in gasoline prices and a 10.5% rise in overall energy costs month-over-month from July.

October brings another challenge as student loan payments are set to resume after a multi-year hiatus granted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of Americans will now need to budget for average monthly payments ranging between $200 and $300 per person. However, the Federal Reserve suggests that these numbers could be even higher, with the median student loan balance falling between $20,000 and $24,999.

Retailers like Target, Nike, and Under Armour may feel the heat, particularly since a significant percentage of their customer base consists of student loan borrowers. UBS analyst Jay Sole predicts that this could lead to a dip in retail sales and overall consumer spending.

Adding to the economic challenges, the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield reached 4.479% last week, marking a new 52-week high not seen since October 2007. The 30-year yield also rose to 4.550%, the highest rate since April 2011. These rising yields are exerting pressure on U.S. stocks, which experienced a decline for the week, despite remaining higher for the year.

Furthermore, a looming government shutdown, just a week away, adds to the uncertainty. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is grappling with dissent within the Republican Party as he attempts to pass appropriation bills. The recent failure to garner support for a defense funding bill serves as a stark reminder of the party’s internal divisions.

In conclusion, Chairman Powell’s efforts to manage inflation face formidable challenges, from ongoing strikes and surging oil prices to the resumption of student loan payments and rising Treasury yields. These factors, coupled with the specter of a government shutdown, create a complex economic landscape that demands careful navigation in the coming months.

Download our app MadbuMax on the Apple App Store for the latest news and financial tools. Interested in getting your finances in order do not forget to check Dr. Paul Etienne’s best-seller book on personal finance. To access more resources, tools, and services please click here. Also, do not forget to follow Dr. Etienne on IG or Twitter.