The odds of a 25-basis-point rate cut fell to less than 60% shortly after Powell's comments, down from 80%, as calculated by the CME FedWatch Tool. The probability remained lower, around 58%, on Friday morning.

Stocks finished lower on Thursday, with another afternoon selloff tied to a jump in Treasury bond yields, this time linked to hawkish comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Speaki

In a speech on Thursday, Powell pointed to ongoing economic growth, a solid job market, and inflation above the Fed's 2% target as reasons the central bank can afford to be careful as they determine the pace and scope of rate cuts going forward.

U.S. stock futures pointed to another day of losses Friday as investors absorbed the message of Fed Chair Jerome Powell that the central bank may not pursue rate cuts aggressively. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 204 points,

Indexes slipped as traders zeroed in on remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who said the central bank is in no hurry to cut rates amid a strong economy.

Wall Street's main indexes closed lower on Thursday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell dampened investors' hopes for another interest rate cut this year by saying the U.S. central bank need not rush to ease monetary policy.

The Federal Reserve doesn’t need to rush to lower its benchmark interest rate, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday.

"The economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates," Powell said Thursday in Dallas.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the recent performance of the US economy has been “remarkably good,” giving central bankers room to lower interest rates at a careful pace.