Richmond Fed's Barkin calls rate-hike decision 'close call'

Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin expressed uncertainty on whether current rates suffice to control inflation and said he was unsure whether he would have supported the three regional Fed presidents' recent rate-hike votes. His dovish-leaning comments suggest internal Fed divisions on monetary tightening, potentially tempering USD strength and easing yield pressure as markets reassess hawkish rate-hike odds.