Image

Fed's Hammack: Both sides of the Fed's mandate are below stress

Fed’s Hammack (2026 voter) is speaking and says:

  • Both sides of the Fed mandate bar under pressure.
  • It is important to maintain modestly restrictive policy to lower inflation.
  • It is just now tariff impacts are starting to affect the economy.
  • Full tariff impact will be clear until next year.
  • On sure if tariffs will ultimately be just a one time impact
  • Biggest concern inflation is too high that inflation has been trending in wrong direction
  • Labor supplies come down dramatically
  • Fed needs to stay laser focus on too high inflation
  • She enters each meeting with an open mind
  • there is a lot of data between now and the FOMC meeting
  • If the meeting was tomorrow she would not see a case for reducing interest rates
  • We have a small distance to get to the neutral rate
  • Does not see any sign have a notable economic downturn.
  • There is no lead for stimulative policy

A summary of the comments in topic format:

  • Mandate pressures: Both inflation and employment sides of the Fed’s dual mandate are under strain.

  • Policy stance: Supports keeping policy modestly restrictive to bring inflation lower.

  • Tariffs:

    • Tariff impacts are only starting to show in the economy.

    • Full effects won’t be clear until next year.

    • Uncertainty if tariffs will be a one-time shock or more persistent.

  • Inflation:

    • Biggest concern is inflation being too high.

    • Notes inflation trend has been moving in the wrong direction.

    • Emphasized Fed must remain laser-focused on inflation.

  • Labor market: Labor supply has declined significantly.

  • Policy outlook:

    • Enters each FOMC meeting with an open mind, stressing incoming data will shape views.

    • If the meeting were tomorrow, she would not support a rate cut.

    • Believes only a small gap remains to reach the neutral rate.

  • Economic outlook:

    • No evidence of a notable economic downturn.

    • No justification for stimulative policy at this point.

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.

SHARE THIS POST