Fed's Goolsbee Says September Meeting ‘Live’ as Data Sends Mixed Signals

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee said the U.S. central bank’s 16-17 September policy gathering remains a “live meeting,” indicating officials have not ruled out further tightening if incoming data justify it. Speaking in a televised interview late Thursday, the 2025 voting member on the Federal Open Market Committee said policymakers are confronting “mixed messages” on growth and inflation and will keep options open until closer to the decision. Goolsbee acknowledged that the most recent inflation figures were “not great,” but stressed that the Fed still has time to assess additional releases before setting rates. His remarks underscore the data-dependent stance adopted since the July pause and signal that markets should avoid assuming a preset path for interest rates ahead of the next FOMC meeting.