Economists expect the Fed to announce another quarter-point rate cut in December, after a quarter-point reduction last week and half-point cut in September.

Even with two Fed rate cuts now in the books, you can still easily earn 4% to 5% returns in a number of risk-free ways. One option even pays 13.3% APY for two months.

"The strength we are currently seeing in the economy gives us the ability to approach our decisions carefully," Powell said.

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.

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

A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. A warm reading on U.S. producer price inflation in October and hawkish comments by Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell weighed on Wall Street and shouldn't distract Asian investors much from focusing on the incoming Trump administration.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday that the economy is in a good place, with inflation on a sustainable path back to the central bank’s 2% target, and that he expects inflation to continue to come down on a “sometimes bumpy” path.

A strong economy is giving Federal Reserve officials room to move “carefully” as they lower interest rates, the central bank chair said.