San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary C. Daly emphasized the need for a nuanced approach to managing inflation and policy adjustments in a recent statement. She indicated that a 2% inflation target is achievable but warned against declaring victory over inflation prematurely.
Contrary to speculation about imminent interest rate cuts, Daly stressed it’s too early to consider such possibilities. She highlighted the importance of basing policy decisions on solid evidence and understanding economic variables comprehensively.
Daly pointed out the necessity of strong evidence for inflation to steadily move towards the 2% target. Adjusting policy rates requires building confidence through careful analysis of economic indicators and measured responses in line with the overall goal of maintaining economic stability.
Early signs of a potential slowdown in the labor market were noted as a trigger for policy adjustments. Daly’s acknowledgment of this reflects an adaptable approach in response to changing labor market dynamics and a proactive stance towards economic shifts.
Daly also commented on the strength of household balance sheets as a positive sign, contributing to overall economic stability. However, she cautioned against ignoring any increases in default rates, suggesting they could be early indicators of economic weakness.