Monday, 01 December 2025
Jakarta
--:--
Tokyo
--:--
Hongkong
--:--
New York
--:--
Fed's Waller favors 25-basis-point rate cut in October amid job market worries
Thursday, 16 October 2025 20:21 WIB | FISCAL & MONETARY |Federal Reserve

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday he's on board with another interest rate cut at the U.S. central bank's policy meeting later this month because of the mixed readings on the state of the job market.

"Based on all of the data we have on the labor market, I believe that the (Fed's policy committee) should reduce the policy rate another 25 basis points at our meeting that concludes October 29," Waller said in the text of a speech to be delivered before a gathering of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

What comes after that meeting, Waller said, depends on future data. He said as he weighs whether more rate cuts are needed, "I will be looking for how the solid GDP data reconcile with the softening labor market."

Waller reiterated his view that trade tariffs are having a modest impact on inflation and that price pressures remain on track to hit the Fed's 2% target. That outlook allows the central bank to focus policy deliberations on the job market.

"The broad message of all the labor market data is one of weakening in demand, relative to supply, even with substantially lower net immigration and a decline in labor force participation this year," and as the Fed navigates this month's meeting without major data due to the U.S. government shutdown, private data are sending mixed signals about the state of hiring, he said. Waller noted that data showing a low-hire, low-fire labor market is "ominous."

Waller explained that any signs of a pick-up in the job market amid strong growth could slow the need for rate cuts.

But, "if the labor market continues to soften or even weaken and inflation remains in check, then I believe the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) should proceed to reduce the policy rate toward a neutral level, which I judge is about 100 to 125 basis points lower than it is today," implying a policy rate in the 2.75%-3.00% range.

"The labor market has been sending some clear warnings lately, and we should be ready to act if those warnings are validated by what we learn in the coming weeks and months," Waller said.

RELATED NEWS
Divided Fed sparks surge in rate options hedging as policy uncertainty lingers...
Friday, 28 November 2025 19:54 WIB

Conflicting signals from the Federal Reserve on the timing and magnitude of U.S. interest rate cuts have accelerated hedging flows into swaptions and derivatives tied to overnight rates, with investor...

US rate cut almost fully priced in for December...
Thursday, 27 November 2025 16:21 WIB

Markets are pricing in a near-certain 25bp Fed cut in December, influenced by dovish Fed chatter and signs of a slowing US economy, while the US Dollar (USD) shows mixed reactions. Kevin Hassett seen...

Good chance Trump may unveil Fed pick by Christmas, Bessent says...
Wednesday, 26 November 2025 15:58 WIB

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday he was concluding a second round of interviews later in the day for a new U.S. Federal Reserve leader, and there was a good chance President Donal...

Fed Chair Powell's allies to open path for Dec rate cut...
Tuesday, 25 November 2025 16:53 WIB

Allies of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell have laid the groundwork for him to push through an interest rate cut during the central bank's December 9-10 meeting, the Wall Street Journal's Nick Timi...

Fed's Goolsbee uneasy about rate cuts, says nothing wrong with dissenting...
Friday, 21 November 2025 04:48 WIB

Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee on Thursday said he is uneasy about cutting interest rates in the face of too-high inflation that's steady at best and by some measures getting worse,...

LATEST NEWS
Oil Prices Plummet Amid Protracted Ukraine Peace Talks, Eyes On Upcoming OPEC+ Meeting

Crude oil futures fell slightly on Friday (November 28th) as investors weighed the geopolitical risk premium on oil amid protracted Russia-Ukraine peace talks, while keeping an eye on Sunday's OPEC+ meeting for clues on potential production...

Gold Rises to One-Month High

Gold surged past $4,220 an ounce on Friday (November 28th) to a one-month high and is on track for a fourth straight monthly gain as markets price in a higher probability of a Fed rate cut in December. Dovish statements from several Fed officials...

European markets close higher after choppy month; Delivery Hero gains almost 15%

European stocks ended Friday in positive territory as investors digested the end of a choppy month. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed the session 0.2% higher, with major bourses and most sectors in positive territory. November has been a volatile...

POPULAR NEWS
CME Halts Futures Trading Following Data Center Cooling Issue.
Friday, 28 November 2025 15:47 WIB

Trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) was halted on Friday (November 28th) following a cooling issue at one of its data centers. "Due to...

Divided Fed sparks surge in rate options hedging as policy uncertainty lingers
Friday, 28 November 2025 19:54 WIB

Conflicting signals from the Federal Reserve on the timing and magnitude of U.S. interest rate cuts have accelerated hedging flows into swaptions...

European Stocks Set to End November Little Changed
Friday, 28 November 2025 16:06 WIB

Both the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on the final trading day of a volatile November, as the recent rally in global...

European markets close higher after choppy month; Delivery Hero gains almost 15%
Saturday, 29 November 2025 00:24 WIB

European stocks ended Friday in positive territory as investors digested the end of a choppy month. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed the session...