financetom
Economy
financetom
/
Economy
/
Fed's Harker says warning signs emerging for US economy
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Fed's Harker says warning signs emerging for US economy
Mar 6, 2025 6:59 AM

(Reuters) -Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker said on Thursday that trouble may be brewing for a U.S. economy that is currently in good shape but showing signs of stress in the consumer sector and risks to the inflation outlook. 

"Unemployment still low, still getting growth, but there are threats to this. We're starting to see that confidence is starting to wane" on both the consumer and business fronts, Harker said in remarks at his regional Fed bank. 

While inflation has been retreating, "I'm worried that right now that is at risk, that decline is at risk," he said, while adding it's still his expectation that price pressures will continue to retreat. Harker also said there is mounting evidence that the consumer sector is "under stress," especially for those who aren't wealthy.

While Harker did not say what he thinks the U.S. central bank should do with interest rates in this environment of uncertainty, he said "I'm an avowed pragmatist when it comes to policy" and in highly uncertain periods, "you don't go very fast in either direction."

He spoke as Trump administration policies roil the economy and markets and kindle fears of a resurgence in inflation and slowdown in economic growth. Markets have been pricing in more Fed rate cuts this year amid worries about growth and hiring.

Harker, who is due to retire from his position at the Philadelphia Fed later this year, also said he's worried about government borrowing and the dollar's ongoing role as the world's reserve currency. He said the currency's status is underpinned by the rule of law, but sees threats on that front. When it comes to keeping the dollar strong, "that's not one I lose sleep over right now, but I'm starting to worry more and more."

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
NY Fed finds rise in credit rejection rate in June
NY Fed finds rise in credit rejection rate in June
Jul 15, 2024
(Reuters) - Credit rejection rates were higher in June than earlier in 2024 but slightly lower than a year ago, new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said on Monday. The bank said that in its June Credit Access Survey, credit rejection rates rose to 21.4% as of last month, relative to the 18.7% rejection rate seen...
Powell opens key week of Fedspeak as rate cut case develops
Powell opens key week of Fedspeak as rate cut case develops
Jul 15, 2024
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Monday kicks off what is shaping up as a key week of commentary from U.S. central bank officials taking stock of slowed inflation and mulling whether to signal the start of interest rate cuts because of it. The Fed meets July 30-31, but under the central bank's rules policymakers can't comment...
Fed's Powell: Latest inflation readings in 'a pretty good place'
Fed's Powell: Latest inflation readings in 'a pretty good place'
Jul 15, 2024
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Monday the three inflation readings over the second quarter of this year showed more progress was being made on bringing the pace of price increases back to the Fed's target. In the second quarter, actually, we did make some more progress, Powell said at an event at the Economic Club...
What Republicans won't say and Democrats don't like to discuss about US inflation
What Republicans won't say and Democrats don't like to discuss about US inflation
Jul 15, 2024
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - If the deep split in U.S. politics makes characterizations of economic data a dependable tell about party affiliation, the coming Republican and Democratic conventions will put that phenomenon on steroids, amp it to 11, and leave little room for shades of gray. Republicans want things to seem bad and stoke sentiment against the incumbent Democratic party. Democrats...
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved