Fed's Barkin says U.S. has made "substantial further progress" on inflation goal

Reuters

Published Jun 28, 2021 01:37PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve has made "substantial further progress" toward its inflation goal in order to begin tapering asset purchases, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Thomas Barkin said on Monday, as he indicated U.S. employment numbers may soon follow.

"It's pretty clear to me we have had substantial further progress against our inflation goal," Barkin said during an event at the Rotary Club of Atlanta. "I'm pretty optimistic about the labor market. ... If the labor market opens as I suggested it might, then I think we're going to get there in relatively short order."