Asks about today's jobs report and whether it supports dovish committee members, given Hammack's previous inflation focus.
Host
Beth Hammack
Tries not to overreact to single data points; disappointed in jobs report because more Americans aren't working.
Beth Hammack
Overall economy is healthy and brightening with positive outlook; businesses are optimistic, making investments, and expecting robust demand.
Beth Hammack
Labor market is stabilizing with unemployment around 4.3-4.4%; headline jobs numbers have been weaker but stabilizing, partly due to accommodation from late last year.
Beth Hammack
Inflation has been above target for 5 years with virtually no progress in last 2 years, still around 3%.
Beth Hammack
Sees two-sided risks to rates; needs balanced policy to bring inflation down while supporting labor market.
Notes Wall Street question about FOMC members wanting to acknowledge two-sided risks in statement.
Host
Asks if monetary policy is tight enough to address inflation.
Host
Beth Hammack
Believes policy is 'right around neutral'; economy performing reasonably well suggests not overly restrictive.
Beth Hammack
Should stay at least around neutral to maintain right pressure to bring inflation back to target.
Suggests next meeting is a wash; too early for decisions based on war; implies no need for more accommodation.
Host
Beth Hammack
As one person, thinks rates could be 'on hold for quite some time'.