Fed's Goolsbee warns political interference with Fed could fuel inflation

Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee expressed concern that political interference in the Federal Reserve could spark inflation. He noted that tariffs and war-related price spikes are complicating the outlook for inflation. Goolsbee emphasized that the current job market, with low hiring and few layoffs, is unusual. He stressed that the most pressing short-term worry is whether inflation remains under control.

Goolsbee pointed out that three-month inflation has not shown alarming trends. He advised following the data to gauge the policy outlook. Central banks aim to keep inflation near a target of around 2% by monitoring the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which excludes volatile food and fuel prices. Higher inflation typically prompts central banks to raise interest rates, strengthening the domestic currency.

Conversely, lower inflation usually leads to lower interest rates and a weaker currency. In the forex market, GBP/USD gained some strength and hovered near the 1.3600 level, while EUR/USD recovered slightly to the mid-1.1600s. Gold prices declined to fresh weekly lows, trading around $4,570 per ounce. Cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, showed upward momentum.

Meanwhile, the US diesel crack spread surged above $100 per barrel for the first time, reflecting rising diesel prices. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh was set to deliver his inaugural Jackson Hole speech on Friday, with market speculation focusing on potential interest rate decisions in September.