Fed’s Williams Says Inflation Is Still Too High as US Economy Stays Resilient

Direct answer

New York Fed President John Williams said on Friday, November 6, 2026, that the US economy is remarkably resilient, but inflation is still too high and the Fed must bring it back to 2 percent. He also said the Fed can afford to wait for more data before deciding on its next move.

What happened

Williams spoke on Friday, November 6, 2026, ahead of the US jobs report later the same day. Reuters reported his remarks. Here are the main points:

• He said the US economy has stayed remarkably resilient despite unusual demand and supply shocks, and the labor market is stable and solid.
• He said inflation is “absolutely too high” and has been “too high for too long”, and it is essential to bring it back to the Fed’s 2 percent goal in a timely manner.
• He said the effect of tariffs has mostly worked its way through the economy and is now mostly behind us. Energy prices are feeding into inflation in the expected way, for example through airfares.
• He said artificial intelligence has had only a narrow effect on prices so far, such as in chips.
• He said inflation expectations remain well anchored and wage growth is consistent with the 2 percent goal.
• He said this is an appropriate time to accumulate more information. In plain terms, the Fed can wait and study incoming data before deciding whether to raise rates again.
• The Fed held its benchmark rate at 3.75 to 4.00 percent on October 28, 2026. Its next meeting is December 8 to 9. Markets were pricing about a 70 percent chance of a December hike before the jobs report.

Why it matters for beginners

Williams leads the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, one of the most important voices at the central bank, so his words shape what markets expect the Fed to do next. When the Fed waits for more data, borrowing costs for mortgages, car loans and credit cards stay where they are for now. Inflation above target means everyday prices are still rising faster than the Fed wants, which is why rates are likely to stay high rather than fall quickly.

What to watch next

• The US October jobs report, due later on Friday, November 6, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.
• The University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey, due at 10 a.m. Eastern time.
• The Fed’s December 8 to 9 meeting, where markets expect a possible quarter point hike.

For more on what other Fed officials have said this week, read our post on the Fed’s Hammack favoring gradual rate hikes: https://investclaritypath.com/feds-hammack-favors-gradual-rate-hikes-november-2026/

FAQ

Who is John Williams?

He is the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a permanent voting member of the Fed’s rate setting committee.

What is the Fed’s inflation target?

The Fed aims for inflation of 2 percent a year.

What did Williams mean by accumulate more information?

He meant the Fed should wait and study incoming data before deciding whether to raise rates again in December.

Sources

Reuters, “U.S. economy resilient but inflation too high: Fed’s Williams”, November 6, 2026. https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2026:newsml_L5N46N0YI:0-u-s-economy-resilient-but-inflation-too-high-fed-s-williams/

FXStreet, “Fed’s Williams: Appropriate time to accumulate more information”, November 6, 2026. https://www.fxstreet.com/news/feds-williams-appropriate-time-to-accumulate-more-information-202611060957

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.