Fed's Barkin (2027 Voter) says even before oil shock, progress on inflation was at risk of stalling, rates should be on hold; war and fast changes due to AI have clouded the economic outlook

Newsquawk StaffFederal Reserve newsPublished 27 Mar 2026, 15:20 UTC

Newsquawk headlinesUTC

Every headline is on the live feed 20 minutes before this site.

15:09

White House expects Iranian response to 15-point proposal today, CBS reports, citing sources; President Trump and top White House officials have been told that Iran's counter-proposal would likely arrive Friday via interlocutors

15:07

CVC (CVC NA) is said to explore divestments for Recordati (REC IM) after takeover, Bloomberg reports; could consider a sale of Recordati’s rare-diseases arm as one of the alternatives

15:00

Fed's Barkin (2027 Voter) says even before oil shock, progress on inflation was at risk of stalling, rates should be on hold; war and fast changes due to AI have clouded the economic outlook

14:58

Unilever (ULVR LN) shareholders reportedly get a majority stake in a potential McCormick (MKC) food deal, according to reports

14:57

A White House Official says the President will announce new guidance for the Diesel Exhaust Fluid requirements that will lower costs, FBN's Lawrence posts

On the Newsquawk feed at 15:00, 20 minutes before this page.

Use the PlatformFree. No signup, no card.

Rates

Prudent to hold interest rates steady and await more clarity on what the Fed should do next.
Oil price spike makes rate cuts unlikely this year.

Inflation

Will be watching inflation and expectations data carefully.
Even before oil shock, progress on inflation was at risk of stalling.

Economy

“Fog” obscures economic outlook.
Unemployment rate is low, but labor market feels “fragile”; firms see little wage pressure, multiple applicants for each job.
Demand has been steady but continues to feel “narrow,” based on AI investment and wealthier households.
Higher gasoline prices hit consumer sentiment, can crowd out other spending

Context

Barkin's comments suggest a cautious approach from the Fed, advocating for a steady interest rate amid uncertainties in inflation and economic outlook, particularly influenced by the recent oil price surge. This position highlights concerns about stalling inflation progress and a fragile labor market, which could lead to a postponement of any aggressive rate cuts this year, with implications for the USD and fixed-income markets.

Newsquawk Daily

Get both market opens in your inbox.

FX · last 90 days

Recent headlines that moved markets

FX/14 Oct · 12:30 UTC

US Core CPI (Sep MM) 0.3% vs. Exp. 0.2% (Prev. 0.3%).

- USD/JPY, after we published+0.3%

FX/8 Oct · 08:30 UTC

Fed’s Waller (voter) says more rate hikes are likely needed to tame inflation, but there is flexibility over the pace and hikes do not need to be consecutive.

DXY, after we published+0.1%

FX/5 Oct · 11:16 UTC

Japan's GPIF didn't discuss allocation at its September meeting, Bloomberg reports.

Market, after we published+0.1%

FX/29 Sept · 18:00 UTC

Fed's Williams (voter) says sees no need for urgency after Sept rate hike.

- DXY, after we published−0.2%

FX/29 Sept · 05:32 UTC

[PRESS CONFERENCE] RBA Governor Bullock says inflationary pressures to last longer than expected; inflation is driven by domestic capacity pressures; Board will raise rates again if needed.

AUD/USD, after we published−0.6%

FX/28 Sept · 07:56 UTC

Japanese FX Official Mimura says they are closely watching to see if markets take the clear message they are giving at face value. Not satisfied with or reassured by recent JPY action.

Following the commentary USD/JPY, after we published−0.5%

Newsquawk Daily

Get both market opens in your inbox.

This note and the other one — the EU open and the US open, every business day, written by the desk. No account needed.

Make Newsquawk a preferred source on GoogleSelect this to see Newsquawk more often in Top Stories when you search Google.

Free.

No signup, no card.

Use the Platform

Related headlines

The feed had this first.

Use the Platform