Fed's Barkin Sees 0-to-Modest Job Gains as Wage Inflation Stays Absent
Updated
Updated · investinglive.com · Aug 7
Fed's Barkin Sees 0-to-Modest Job Gains as Wage Inflation Stays Absent
3 articles · Updated · investinglive.com · Aug 7
Summary
Zero-to-modest job gains are showing up in the labor market, Thomas Barkin said, describing conditions as "low hire, low fire" and in weak balance.
Barkin said the jobs picture "doesn't feel very good," though he noted it had looked similar earlier this year before payroll growth later ran near 100,000 a month.
Corporate earnings are still strong and growing nicely, he said, and he is watching whether that strength feeds through to hiring.
On inflation, Barkin said he does not see wage pressure now; pricing power remains stronger in business-to-business markets than on the consumer side.