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 >
Whether US is heading for recession or just 'detox,' downturns are costly
Whether US is heading for recession or just 'detox,' downturns are costly
Mar 13, 2025
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says a recession would be worth it to get President Donald Trump's economic policies in place, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has spoken of a coming period of detox and Trump himself says the economy is in transition. However it plays out, history shows recessions - should it come to that - are...
Interior Secretary Calls For 'Mine, Baby, Mine,' Promising Cost Savings From Deregulation
Interior Secretary Calls For 'Mine, Baby, Mine,' Promising Cost Savings From Deregulation
Mar 13, 2025
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum called for increased activity in the commodity sector, urging industry leaders to seize opportunities on public lands. At the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston on Wednesday, Burgum noted the need for higher domestic production and reduced dependence on foreign supply chains. If we're going to drill, baby, drill, then we've got to be asked to...
Despite Elon Musk's Efforts, US Spending Soars To New Highs, Deficit Exceeds $1 Trillion
Despite Elon Musk's Efforts, US Spending Soars To New Highs, Deficit Exceeds $1 Trillion
Mar 13, 2025
The U.S. federal spending hit a record-breaking $603.4 billion last month, despite the efficiency drive led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. What Happened: Despite Musk’s efforts to streamline government operations through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), U.S. federal spending has soared to an all-time high, as per data by the U.S. Treasury. Compared to the same month in the previous...
US Dollar Rises Early Thursday Before Jobless Claims, PPI, Natural Gas Stocks
US Dollar Rises Early Thursday Before Jobless Claims, PPI, Natural Gas Stocks
Mar 13, 2025
07:45 AM EDT, 03/13/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The US dollar rose against its major trading partners early Thursday, except for a decline versus the yen, before the release of weekly jobless claims data and producer price data for February, both at 8:30 am ET. Weekly natural gas stocks data follows at 10:30 am ET. Federal Reserve officials are in quiet...
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved