Fed’s Barkin Sees ‘Delicate Balance’ as He Waits for New Data

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin said the outlook for monetary policy remains in a delicate balance given the conflicting pressures from rising unemployment and still-high inflation.

Last year’s 75 basis points of policy easing means interest rates are now within the range of estimates for the so-called neutral rate, Barkin said, which he likened to taking out insurance.