Fed’s Collins stresses balance between inflation and jobs

Boston Fed President Susan Collins said on Bloomberg TV that while U.S. growth has shown signs of slowing, the “overall economic fundamentals are relatively solid.” She argued policymakers cannot wait until all uncertainty clears before acting and must carefully weigh the Fed’s dual mandate.

She emphasized policymakers “cannot wait until all of the uncertainty is behind us,” and must instead weigh both sides of the Fed’s mandate.

“If we start to see worsening labor market risks relative to inflation, starting to dial back the restrictiveness would become appropriate,” she said.