{
  "id": 12827956,
  "title": "Fed’s Waller: More hikes needed, but there is ’flexibility’ about the pace",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/feds-waller-more-hikes-needed-but-there-is-flexibility-about-the-pace",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-08T08:36:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/feds-waller-more-hikes-needed-but-there-is-flexibility-about-the-pace-4938165"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "US Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller stated on Thursday that more interest rate hikes will likely be necessary to bring inflation down to the Fed's 2% goal, but there is flexibility regarding the pace of these increases. Waller indicated that a pause could be considered at the upcoming October Fed meeting if economic data continue to align with expectations. He clarified that the hikes do not necessarily have to happen at consecutive meetings, but should be achieved within a reasonable timeframe. Waller's remarks come after other Fed officials have suggested that the policy rate will likely remain steady at the current 3.75% to 4% range during the October 27-28 meeting, with a rate increase possible in December, assuming incoming data shows an economy with low unemployment, steady growth, and only minimal immediate progress in reducing inflation. While Waller did not disclose the exact magnitude of the additional rate hikes required, he emphasized that the case for higher interest rates has become clear due to the economy's strengthening, the ongoing energy price shock from the Iran war, and concerns that AI development could be contributing to inflation through increased demand for essential goods and services. Waller also noted that the acceleration in inflation could cause consumers, investors, and businesses to revise their expectations for future inflation upward. He expressed a concern that tighter monetary policy might harm economic growth, but he believed that the recent acceleration in inflation could prompt businesses and consumers to anticipate higher future inflation. Waller is the third prominent Fed official in recent days to suggest a willingness to postpone further rate hikes, while still acknowledging a potential need to eventually increase borrowing costs. This message appears to have been received by investors, who have adjusted their expectations for the upcoming Fed meeting. Waller's comments follow those of his colleagues, aiming to help markets set probabilities about the interest rate path without providing a definitive outcome, a strategy he argues helps avoid volatility that can arise from a lack of clear signals. Waller emphasized that policymakers can provide guidance on their likely direction while recognizing that there is no fixed final destination, arguing that a more comprehensive communication strategy would be unwise.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "FXStreet",
        "title": "Fed’s Waller: Further hikes don’t need to come at consecutive meetings",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/feds-waller-further-hikes-dont-need-to-come-at-consecutive-meetings",
        "published": "2026-10-08T08:54:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
        "title": "More interest rate hikes needed, but there is ‘flexibility’ about the pace: Fed’s Waller",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/more-interest-rate-hikes-needed-but-there-is-flexibility-about-the",
        "published": "2026-10-08T09:19:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}