Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook stated she is ready to support higher interest rates if falling US inflation shows signs of pausing, increasing caution for the crypto market and other risk
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook stated she is ready to support higher interest rates if falling US inflation shows signs of pausing, increasing caution for the crypto market and other risk-sensitive assets.
Speaking at a luncheon organized by the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, Cook noted that while some disinflationary trends are present, persistent price increases continue to exceed the central bank’s stated goals. The Federal Reserve maintains a long-term annual inflation target of 2%.
Recent data showed the annual inflation rate slipping to 3.5% in June 2026, marking the first decrease in five months, as reported by Trading Economics. Yet, Cook cautioned that the environment remains highly uncertain and emphasized the importance of not overreacting to single data points.
The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, considered by the Fed as its preferred inflation measure, climbed 3.7% in the year through June, which still stands noticeably higher than the 2% benchmark.
Cook underscored that her concerns currently lean more toward inflation risks than employment risks. The labor market, although an essential part of the Fed’s dual mandate, appears less threatened by immediate policy changes compared to persistent inflation.
Inflation remains too high, and the risks associated with persistent price increases outweigh employment concerns at this time. Cook expressed that she is prepared to raise rates if necessary to address these inflationary pressures.
She asserted her readiness to act if there are no further signs of ongoing disinflation in the coming months. In her words, allowing inflation to remain high for an extended period could make elevated prices more deeply rooted in wage and price expectations, increasing the difficulty of containing them later.
“With five years of above-target inflation, the risk grows that higher inflation may become entrenched in price- and wage-setting behavior, leading to persistence that would be much harder for us to attack. The longer inflation is above target, the more likely this scenario becomes,” Cook warned.
Financial market participants are watching closely as Fed officials balance their response amid mixed signals from inflation and employment data. Monitoring technical trends and underlying economic indicators has become essential for investors aiming to adapt their strategies.
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