During a recent conversation webcast by MNI, Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin expressed his skepticism regarding the usefulness of long-term bond yields as a policy variable for determining interest rates. According to Barkin, these rates can fluctuate significantly within a relatively short time period, making them an unreliable guide.
While Barkin acknowledged the importance of bond rates, he stressed the need for a more comprehensive approach to evaluating financial conditions. He emphasized that he considers the overall picture and how conditions have changed since the previous meeting when making decisions.
Regarding the outlook for the economy, Barkin foresees the possibility of a slowdown in the coming months. He expressed concerns about the lagged negative effects of previous rate hikes. Over the past year and a half, the Fed has raised its benchmark rate by 525 basis points, and Barkin believes that the cumulative impact of these tightening measures will eventually have a more significant impact on the economy.
However, economists at Goldman Sachs presented a different viewpoint in a recent research note. They argued that the negative effects of past rate hikes have largely subsided, suggesting favorable prospects for economic growth.
While Barkin acknowledged that inflation is heading in the right direction, he cautioned that further progress may be accompanied by challenges. The disruptions in supply chains witnessed during the pandemic allowed many businesses to raise prices, and this trend might continue. Although the abrupt price increases related to supply chain issues are now behind us, Barkin believes that certain sectors might still attempt to raise prices until market competition or customer pressure intervenes.
In summary, while long-term bond yields often attract attention, Barkin believes they should not be relied upon as a primary indicator for setting interest rates. Instead, he advocates for a holistic assessment of financial conditions and anticipates a potential economic slowdown. Furthermore, Barkin acknowledges the ongoing challenges associated with inflation and emphasizes the role of market dynamics in curbing price increases.