Boston Fed president: It may be appropriate to easy policy 'a bit further this year'

Group 1 - Boston Fed President Susan Collins indicated that it may be appropriate to ease policy further this year if supported by data, while maintaining a modestly restricted policy stance [1][2] - Collins emphasized the need for the Fed to restore price stability while managing risks of labor market weakening, noting that the labor market is not expected to soften significantly [2][4] - There is a current state of heightened uncertainty affecting firms' hiring decisions, with productivity enhancements tempering hiring amid solid economic growth [3][4] Group 2 - Collins anticipates that hiring will increase as firms adjust to the new tariff environment, with inflation expected to remain elevated into next year and gradually return to the 2% target over the medium term [3] - Fed Vice Chair Phil Jefferson highlighted the dual risks of employment being tilted to the downside and inflation to the upside, reflecting the challenging economic landscape [4][5] - The Fed is navigating a complex situation with higher inflation pressures on one side and employment pressures on the other, relying on data that may be becoming less reliable [5] Group 3 - Doug McMillan from Walmart noted that the company is not hiring more and is instead focusing on getting existing employees to perform new tasks, indicating a shift in retail strategies amid competition with Amazon [6] - Retailers are recognizing the existential challenges posed by current market conditions, as indicated by conversations with various industry players [6][7]