Asks if weak jobs report is a one-off or start of a bigger trend.
Tim Stenovec
Michael McKee
Jobs report doesn't look good on surface; healthcare hiring weakness is concerning. Fed officials see labor market as weak, with some wanting to act while inflation hawks point to oil prices.
Asks about Kevin Hassett's defense of jobs report citing weather and population revisions.
Carol Massar
Michael McKee
Dismisses Hassett's weather excuse; says report must be taken at face value.
Asks if jobs report changes picture for Fed meetings in March and April.
Tim Stenovec
Michael McKee
March 18th meeting: Fed will sit on hands. April decision depends on war and energy prices. Powell's last meeting might argue against dramatic action.
Asks if anyone at forum is saying 'stagflation'.
Carol Massar
Michael McKee
Austin Goolsbee mentioned stagflation, but current oil price move isn't that big historically. If it continues and gets into other products, it could become a crisis. Not likely to see stagflation now, but Fed will mention it as a danger.