Divergence Among Fed Officials Emerges: Barkin Supports Holding Steady, Hammack Insists on Rate Hike

Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin supports holding interest rates steady, arguing that inflation stems primarily from temporary shocks, but warns that AI investment and supply chain dynamics could exert persistent price pressures. Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester, meanwhile, reaffirmed her stance in favor of rate hikes, cautioning against financial stability risks such as U.S. Treasury leverage and an AI bubble. With unemployment remaining low and economic data presenting a mixed picture, the Federal Reserve’s policy path for its September meeting is fraught with uncertainty.

wallstreetcnAug 13 21:30

U.S. core inflation in July matched its lowest level in over five years, temporarily easing the Federal Reserve's rate-hike alarm. However, are oil price volatility and wage declines brewing the next storm?

Notably, wage data released during the same period indicates that workers' real purchasing power continues to decline. Coupled with recurring geopolitical tensions in the Middle East driving up energy prices, the outlook for U.S. inflation remains highly uncertain.

Zhitong FinanceAug 12 22:07

Fully in line with expectations! The year-on-year increase in the U.S. CPI for July narrowed to 3.4%, while core CPI slowed to 2.5% year-on-year.

Traders maintain their bet on a 45% probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike in September.

wallstreetcnAug 12 20:56

A 50-50 bet on a rate hike: Tonight at 20:30, CPI data may determine whether the Fed 'pulls the trigger' in September or continues to hold off

Traders are currently pricing in a roughly 50% probability of a rate hike in September. This means tonight’s CPI data could directly tip the balance. If the data aligns with expectations, the Federal Reserve may remain on hold; if it exceeds expectations, it could open the door to a series of consecutive rate hikes.

Golden10 DataAug 12 09:15

U.S. CPI for July arrives tomorrow! JPMorgan outlines five scenarios, with the S&P 500 potentially swinging by as much as 2%.

JPMorgan's trading desk recently warned that the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for July, scheduled for release on Wednesday, could cause the S&P 500 index to swing by as much as 2%.

cls.cnAug 11 22:41

‘The New Fed Wire’ Issues Strong Warning: September Rate Hike Hinges on Inflation Data!

① The so-called 'New Fed Wire' stated that if the U.S. July CPI data released on Wednesday comes in mild, it would simultaneously ease the pressure on both Waller personally and the FOMC to raise interest rates—pressure stemming from their ongoing reassessment of whether they had underestimated the resilience of the U.S. economy. ② Conversely, if the data remains elevated, it could force him to demonstrate through concrete action the point he struggled last month to articulate clearly.

cls.cnAug 11 16:41