Barkin Leaves Door Open to More Rate Hikes as Inflation Stays Over 1 Point Above 2%
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Finance · Sep 22
Barkin Leaves Door Open to More Rate Hikes as Inflation Stays Over 1 Point Above 2%
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Finance · Sep 22
Summary
Tom Barkin said last week’s Fed rate increase may not be the last, arguing inflation remains too persistent to return to target without additional tightening.
More than 60% of the Fed’s preferred PCE measure is still rising faster than 3% year over year, with oil prices, tariffs, Middle East conflict and AI-driven supply strains keeping pressure on prices.
Richmond Fed surveys showed prices received averaging 3.5% since late 2023, while the CFO Survey found firms expect to raise prices 4.1% next year—more than double the 2019 average.
Barkin said the economy and labor market remain solid, with consumer spending and business investment holding up, a backdrop he sees as adding inflationary pressure rather than easing it.
Inflation has run above the Fed’s 2% target for more than five years, and Barkin said policymakers will judge later whether further hikes are needed and how many.