Fed’s Williams says central bank has ’work to do’ to get inflation back on target

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams stated on Thursday that the central bank has "work to do" to bring inflation back to its 2% target in a sustained manner. Williams did not specify when the next rate hike is expected or the extent of the increases. He emphasized that the US economy is strong, with a robust labor market, yet inflation remains a persistent challenge.

Williams added, "We still have work to do... to get monetary policy to the right place." Financial markets anticipate a quarter percentage point rate increase at the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting in early December, followed by another hike in January. Core inflation rose 0.3% in October, prompting Fed Governor Christopher Waller to suggest a potential 50-basis point hike for December.

However, other Fed officials, like Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, argue for a more gradual approach to avoid disrupting the economy. Williams addressed the high cost of living resulting from inflation over the past five years, stating that the central bank can only influence the rate of change in prices, not the absolute levels.

He explained that targeting low inflation has benefits, but trying to reverse the effects of inflation, such as from a war or pandemic, can cause significant economic damage. Williams concluded that the central bank's focus should be on gradually bringing inflation back down without attempting to eliminate it entirely.