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Federal Reserve Watch for Nov. 18: Barkin Sees More Concern About Employment, Does Not Comment on December FOMC

BY MT Newswires | ECONOMIC | 11/18/25 02:21 PM EST

02:21 PM EST, 11/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin (nonvoter) said that there are signs that the employment picture is weaker than some data would suggest and that inflation is not likely to increase considerably but would not comment on the appropriate action at the December FOMC meeting due to the lack of government data that would normally provide some guidance.

Recent comments of note:

(Nov. 17) Fed Governor Christopher Waller (voter) called for another 25-basis point reduction in the federal funds rate at the December meeting due to evidence of a weakening labor market, saying that he does not expect inflation to reaccelerate.

(Nov. 17) Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson (voter) suggested that the FOMC should move slowly with considering further rate reductions as the target moves closer to neutral but conceded that risks to employment have increased.

(Nov. 14) Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid (voter) said that the current stance of monetary policy is "modestly restrictive," which he said is appropriate given continued concerns about inflation and suggested that the risk of lowering rates further is tilted toward damaging the Fed's inflation fight.

(Nov. 13) San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly (nonvoter) said that she has an open mind regarding whether a further rate reduction at the FOMC's December meeting is needed, saying that it "premature" to say at this point what the right decision will be.

(Nov. 12) Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic (nonvoter) said that he will retire when his current term is done on Feb. 28, 2026. In comments later in the day, Bostic said that the current stance of monetary policy is "marginally restrictive" and does not require immediate action from the FOMC but added that he would be open to change his mind if incoming information suggest a need for a different path.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

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