Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook said she is ready to support another interest rate increase if the recent slowdown in price gains loses steam. In remarks that underscore the central bank's continued vigilance, Cook made clear she would act if inflation stays too far above the Fed's 2% target.
Why Cook is watching the disinflation trend
Cook's comments come as the Fed tries to gauge whether its aggressive rate hikes have done enough to cool the economy. The central bank has held rates steady at its last two meetings, but officials have stressed that further tightening remains on the table. Cook said she would vote for a hike if the data show that disinflation — the process of inflation slowing down — has stalled.
“I would support raising rates if the data show that disinflation is stalling,” Cook said, according to prepared remarks. She added that she is prepared to act if inflation remains too high above the Fed's target. The Fed's target is 2% annual inflation, a level it has not reached since early 2021.
What a rate hike would mean for borrowers
Another rate increase would push the Fed's benchmark rate even higher, raising costs for mortgages, credit cards, and business loans. The Fed has already lifted rates more than five percentage points since early 2022, the fastest tightening cycle in decades. A fresh hike would extend that pressure on households and companies already grappling with higher borrowing costs.
Cook's stance puts her among the more hawkish members of the Federal Open Market Committee. Other officials have recently signaled they are in no rush to raise rates again, preferring to wait for more data. But Cook's comments suggest that if inflation proves stubborn, the committee could shift back to a tightening stance.
The balancing act ahead
The Fed faces a delicate task: bring inflation down without triggering a recession. So far, the economy has held up better than many expected, with strong job growth and consumer spending. But the lagged effects of past rate hikes are still working through the system, and some sectors, like housing, have already cooled sharply.
Cook acknowledged the uncertainty. She said the Fed will need to rely on incoming data to decide its next move. The next major inflation report is due in the coming weeks, and it will likely shape the debate ahead of the Fed's next policy meeting.
For now, Cook's message is clear: she is not ready to declare victory over inflation. If the data stop improving, she will push for higher rates.
