Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee said the November inflation report had “a lot to like,” pointing to cooling price pressures as a constructive sign for the economy. In a separate interview, he described an economy sending mixed signals, with inflation coming in at 2.7% year over year—below what many economists expected—alongside a delayed jobs report showing weak growth and the highest unemployment rate in four years. Those cross-currents could strengthen the case for interest-rate cuts in 2026, though Goolsbee emphasized he wants more evidence before drawing firm conclusions.

Highlights:

• Inflation nuance: Goolsbee highlighted that the latest inflation print looked encouraging but stressed the Fed should confirm the trend with additional reports before changing course decisively.
• Jobs signal: PBS noted the jobs report was delayed and showed weak growth alongside the highest unemployment rate in four years, complicating how quickly policymakers can feel confident about easing.
• 2026 focus: The PBS segment framed the new data as potentially bolstering the argument for further rate cuts next year, depending on whether inflation continues to cool without a sharper labor-market downturn.

Perspectives:

• Austan Goolsbee (Chicago Fed): He said the November inflation report had “a lot to like,” while signaling he wants more data before feeling comfortable with the path ahead. (Bloomberg)
• PBS NewsHour framing: The interview emphasized “mixed signals,” pairing a cooler inflation reading with a delayed jobs report showing weak growth and the highest unemployment rate in four years, which could support more rate cuts in 2026. (PBS)

Sources:

• Chicago Fed President on the economy's mixed signals and the path forward - reddit.com
• Fed’s Goolsbee Praises ‘Good’ Inflation Report, Wants More Data - bloomberg.com
• Chicago Fed president on the economy’s mixed signals - pbs.org
• Chicago Fed president on the economy’s mixed signals - PBS - google.com