|

Fed's Goolsbee: Housing remains a significant inflation challenge

Further comments from Chicago Federal Reserve (Fed) President Austan Goolsbee highlighted the Fed's ongoing battle with stubborn inflation that refuses to cool off to the US central bank's 2% target. Chicago Fed President Goolsbee's comments come on the heels of comments the policymaker made earlier while speaking at the Economic Club of Minnesota.

Key highlights

If the uptick in inflation means overheating, the Fed has to do whatever we have to do to get inflation to 2%.

Housing remains a significant inflation challenge.

If housing inflation comes down, there will be an "optimistic lane" towards 2% inflation.

I don't accept we are stuck at the "last mile" of inflation.

The supply chain is mostly healed, but benefits of the increase in labor supply may last during 2024.

Fed's Goolsbee's earlier comments: We hit an inflation bump this year, now we wait

Author

Joshua Gibson

Joshua joins the FXStreet team as an Economics and Finance double major from Vancouver Island University with twelve years' experience as an independent trader focusing on technical analysis.

More from Joshua Gibson
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD flatlines near 0.6965 as less hawkish RBA counters USD weakness

AUD/USD holds steady above a two-week low, trading near 0.6965 in the Asian session on Wednesday as early midterm election results heighten political uncertainty and weigh heavily on the US Dollar. Moreover, reviving safe-haven demand triggers a fresh leg down in US bond yields, offsetting Fed hike bets and exerting additional pressure on the buck. However, a less hawkish RBA caps the Aussie.

USD/JPY declines below 158.00 as USD weakens on midterm election results

USD/JPY comes under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday, dropping below 158.00 during the Asian session as the US Dollar slumps to a one-month low amid heightened political uncertainty after early US midterm vote counts. Moreover, the prospect of gridlock in Washington drives safe-haven flows, triggering a fresh leg down in US bond yields and further weighing on the buck.

Gold reclaims $4,000 and above

Gold manages to regain some composure, leaving behind two consecutive daily pullbacks and reclaiming the area above the key $4,000 mark per troy ounce on Wednesday. The strong decline in the US Dollar, declining US Treasury yields and lower crude oil price all contributes to the yellow metal’s recovery.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP extend advance as US Dollar slides on Democrats' US midterm victory

Bitcoin trades above $78,000 on Wednesday as risk-on sentiment improves in the broader cryptocurrency market. Ethereum mirrors BTC’s recovery outlook, hovering above $2,300. Ripple similarly exchanges hands above $1.28, marking two consecutive days of gains.

US midterms 2026: Investor Q&A on the Democratic sweep
1. Gridlock replaces the stimulus narrative. A Democratic Congress would constrain Trump's ability to pursue additional fiscal expansion and legislative tax measures. But it cannot simply reverse the president's entire economic agenda. Executive powers, existing legislation and presidential vetoes remain important. 2. AI faces a higher hurdle, not an extinction event.
The 2% inflation target came from a throwaway remark. It now moves trillions
The Federal Reserve's 2% inflation goal grew out of an off-the-cuff remark by a New Zealand politician in 1988. Bond investors still price long-term US debt as if 2% holds, so a change in how the Fed measures inflation would move markets.