FED’S BARKIN: JOB GROWTH SLOWDOWN IS UNCOMFORTABLE Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin said a lack of job growth would be “uncomfortable” even if unemployment stays low. He said recent U.S. data on demand, jobs, and inflation is encouraging, but it remains unclear when inflation will return to the 2% target. Barkin noted policy rates are at the high end of neutral, business demand is solid but not overheated, and pricing power is easing. He said productivity gains are coming from both AI and firms limiting hiring, and added he hopes the government shutdown only briefly delays economic data.(*Walter Bloomberg)