BARKIN: FED RATE HIKES STILL ON THE TABLE Fed’s Barkin says it remains an open question whether rates must rise to bring inflation back to 2%. Inflation could ease as wage pressures moderate and tariff and oil shocks fade, though price pressures may remain embedded. Many Fed officials believe current rates are already restrictive enough. Meanwhile, consumer spending remains resilient, business investment is strong, and AI is helping firms experiment with reducing headcount.(*Walter Bloomberg)