Fed’s Barkin sees no current wage inflation, easing rate hike pressure

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Thomas Barkin stated that there is no current wage inflation, despite acknowledging ongoing price and wage pressures. His remarks come amid discussions of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate strategy, with U.S. inflation still above the central bank’s 2% target. Barkin’s comments may suggest less urgency for rate hikes, aligning with a cautious stance on monetary policy adjustments. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll announced plans to open five military test ranges to private firms, aiming to expedite defense technology development by reducing lengthy wait times for range access. The current market pricing indicates a potential decrease in expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike by the September 2026 meeting. The probability of a hike by this meeting has dropped from 44% to 36% in the past 24 hours. This shift reflects market participants’ interpretations of Barkin’s comments, suggesting a reduced pressure for immediate rate increases. Additionally, the likelihood of a rate hike by the October 2026 meeting remains at 50.5%, indicating some uncertainty about the Federal Reserve’s next moves. Key Takeaways Barkin’s statem...