PRIMER - Today’s Fedspeak includes: Barkin, Hammack, Paulson

13:00BST/08:00EDT: Fed’s Barkin (2027 voter) participates in in a fireside chat. Speaking this week, Barkin said US economic conditions are firming, with strength beyond the AI investment boom keeping the Fed focused on inflation risks, which outweigh those to maximum employment. He said last week’s 25bps hike will help restore inflation to the 2% target, though it remains unclear if further hikes will be needed. Barkin said supply shocks are proving more persistent than expected, with momentum evident in defence, manufacturing and banking. 13:50BST/08:50EDT: Fed’s Hammack (2026 voter) will give opening remarks. Speaking in early September, before the FOMC confab, Hammack said it is time for the Fed to act to cool inflation, citing data and feedback from her district showing monetary policy is not sufficiently weighing on the economy, where she noted a Northeast Ohio manufacturer reporting double-digit inflation in input prices. NOTE: Hammack was one of three policymakers to dissent from the Fed’s July decision to hold rates steady; in September, the FOMC unanimously raised rates by 25bps. 15:10BST/10:10EDT: Fed’s Paulson (2026 voter) will give remarks on the economic outlook. Speaking in August, Paulson said she is keeping an open mind on interest rates, and is focused on underlying inflation trends. Paulson said the labour market appeared stable, while the Middle East conflict has pushed inflation up and AI infrastructure build-out has created price pressures in some areas. She voted to hold rates steady in July, a decision she called not close, but voted for a hike in September.