How much power does the Fed really have?

Another month, another PCE report that put annual core inflation meaningfully above the Fed’s 2% target. The central bank has been fighting high inflation for more than five years now. At a certain point, you might start to wonder, does the Fed even have the power to fix it? Also in this episode: Consumer confidence falls, transportation durable goods orders tick up, and Arizona’s Great Recession-era bid to save the state budget offers insight into how AI might change our tax structure. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future. Read the stories in today’s episode: Inflation is stuck above 2%. Can the Fed really do anything about it? Consumers are pessimistic about the next six months How Arizona's "Capitol-ism" points to a potential tax fix for the AI age What's driving an increase in orders for transportation equipment? Running a historic motel off Route 66 is no easy pursuit The Gila River Indian Community "walks the walk" on water conservation