US Fed's Schmid (2028 Voter, Hawk) says its appropriate to keep restrictive monetary policy with inflation close to 3%

• Further Fed rate cuts could allow higher inflation to persist for longer.
• Not forecasting evidence current level of interest rates is restraining economy.
• Productivity improvements could allow faster growth without inflation, but 'we are not there yet.
• Current inflation rate indicates still-strong demand is outpacing improvements in supply.
• There are opportunities to reduce bank reserve demand and thus lower the Fed's balance sheet.
• Price shocks are 'transitory' based on Central bank's response, Fed needs to keep focus on 2% inflation target.
• Recent improvements in productivity could be about workers staying in jobs longer, as opposed to stemming solely from technology.

Fed's Schmid emphasizes a need to maintain a restrictive monetary policy given that inflation hovers around 3%. This hawkish stance suggests that rate cuts may be premature, as such actions could permit inflation to linger and indicate that current interest rates are not constraining economic activity. Market participants should anticipate a focus on maintaining rate levels to combat inflation, which could influence USD strength and fixed income dynamics.