The pivot from rate hikes in 2022 and 2023 to rate cuts was widely forecast, and a big reason behind the S&P 500's epic 24% return in 2024. Most thought the Fed would continue to put its foot on the economic gas pedal, reducing rates in 2025, too.

The latest labor market data reinforces the central bank’s wait-and-see approach to lowering borrowing costs, despite pressure from President Trump.

The Federal Reserve is likely to resume lowering interest rates in September, but it won’t be an easy call for the central bankers, economists said Thursday in the wake of the June jobs report.