In mid-2019, an article in the Wall Street Journal quoted an investment analyst as stating that “heightened expectations of a [federal funds] rate cut may now force the Fed to act sooner than intended to avoid disappointing the market and driving up stocks’ volatility over the summer.” 

a. What does the analyst mean by “stocks’ volatility”? Is avoiding volatility in the stock market part of the Fed’s dual mandate? 

b. Should the Fed be concerned about stock market volatility? Briefly explain.