{
  "id": 5422170,
  "title": "Fed rate hike still in play as Waller awaits inflation data",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/fed-rate-hike-still-in-play-as-waller-awaits-inflation-data",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-03T21:28:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Qatar Tribune Business",
    "slug": "qatar-tribune-business",
    "url": "https://www.qatar-tribune.com/article/252005/business/fed-rate-hike-still-in-play-as-waller-awaits-inflation-data"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller stated that the upcoming inflation report on September 11 will be the key factor in determining whether he supports an interest rate hike later this month or not. If the report shows that inflation is cooling, Waller is willing to keep the Fed's benchmark interest rate unchanged. However, if the inflation remains high, he would consider a rate hike. Borrowing costs are only \"slightly restricting\" consumer and business demand, and a modest acceleration in inflation could prompt him to support a hike. Waller, an outspoken member of the Fed's governing board, suggests that a rate hike later in the month is not a sure thing. This uncertainty has led to rising stock prices and falling bond yields. While some Fed members have expressed concerns about persistently high prices, others argue that inflation is slowly cooling and additional borrowing costs are unnecessary. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh recently warned that the central bank may still have \"more work to do\" to address inflation, hinting at a possible rate hike during the September meeting. Wall Street investors have increased their expectations for a rate hike this month following Warsh's remarks, adding pressure on the September meeting. Waller noted that he has seen signs of inflation slowing over the past two months, with the Fed's preferred gauge showing a 0.1 percent decrease from May to June and a 0.2 percent increase from June to July. If this trend continues, inflation would move closer to the Fed's 2 percent target. Last month, inflation remained at 3.7 percent on a yearly basis according to the Fed's measure. In an interview with Reuters, Waller emphasized his focus on upcoming data, stating that he is prepared to be patient and wait for any changes in trends. \"I’m willing to sit and wait and be patient\" to see if the next inflation report also shows a decline, Waller said. \"But if it reverses, then you know it’s time to pull the trigger and hike rates.\" New York Fed President John Williams echoed Waller's cautious stance, expressing his encouragement by recent data but urging to see more evidence that inflation is declining. \"I think that we have to wait and see,\" Williams said on CNBC. \"There’s no clear signs right now whether monetary policy currently is sufficient to make sure we bring inflation back to target in the next year or two, or whether you need to see further action to do that.\"",
  "summary": "AgenciesFederal Reserve governor Christopher Waller said Thursday that an inflation report next week will largely determine whether he supports an interest rate hike later this mon...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Semafor",
        "title": "US Fed Governor Waller floats September rate hold",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/us-fed-governor-waller-floats-september-rate-hold",
        "published": "2026-09-03T22:40:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Fed governor Waller muddies outlook on possible rate hike later this month",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/fed-governor-waller-muddies-outlook-on-possible-rate-hike-later-this",
        "published": "2026-09-04T00:08:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Gold holds near $4,500 as Waller cools Fed hike bets",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/gold-holds-near-4-500-as-waller-cools-fed-hike-bets",
        "published": "2026-09-04T01:13:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindu BusinessLine",
        "title": "Gold jumps 2% as Fed Governor's comments temper rate hike bets",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/gold-jumps-2-as-fed-governors-comments-temper-rate-hike-bets",
        "published": "2026-09-04T01:52:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}