Megan Leonhardt
Verified
As seen in:
Barron's,
MSN,
MSN Ireland,
MSN Malaysia,
MSN New Zealand,
Yahoo Life,
Business Insider,
USA Today,
Yahoo Canada,
Yahoo News,
Yahoo News Malaysia
and
Covers:
Policy, Economy, Regulation, Legislation, Finance, Banking, Consumer Protection, Investors, Regulators, Investments, Retirement, Careers, Consumer Finance, Money, Economics, Data
Doesn't Cover:
Sports
Senior economics writer with @barronsonline, previously @FortuneMagazine, @CNBCMakeIt, @MONEY. Send comments, questions to megan.leonhardt(at)barrons(dot)com
Articles by Megan Leonhardt
Fed's Waller sees multiple rate increases ahead to cool inflation
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Thursday that he expects the central bank will need to implement multiple rate increases to cool inflation in a timely fashion. In prepared remarks at the Istanbul Economic Forum, Waller said that the economic data didn't shift the narrative much from the Federal Open Market Committee's September meeting.
Most Fed officials see another rate hike this year but leave timing open
Federal Reserve officials agreed on raising interest rates last month but differed over the rationale, leaving questions about the path of further tightening, minutes released Wednesday showed.
Markets look to Fed minutes for clues on further rate increases
The Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting minutes could signal whether officials view September's interest rate increase as a small policy adjustment or the start of a broader hiking cycle. The Federal Open Market Committee voted to raise its target range for the federal-funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75% to 4% at the conclusion of its September policy meeting. It was the first time since December 2025 that the Fed changed interest rates, and the first increase since July 2023.
Inflation eats away at wages, posing risk to consumer spending
If you've felt your paycheck isn't going quite as far in recent months, you're not imagining it. Wages are not keeping up with inflation and there's a very real possibility this squeeze could persist. Americans have experienced five straight months of zero or negative wage growth so far this year when adjusted for the impact of high inflation—and likely weathered another downturn last month.
Inflation Eats Away at Wages, Posing Risk to Consumer Spending — Barrons.com
If you've felt your paycheck isn't going quite as far in recent months, you're not imagining it. Wages are not keeping up with inflation and there's a very real possibility this squeeze could persist. Americans have experienced five straight months of zero or negative wage growth so far this year when adjusted for the impact of high inflation-and likely weathered another downturn last month.
Dallas Fed's Logan says interest rates need to be half percent higher
The hawks are alive and well at the Federal Reserve. Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan on Thursday night called for increasing the fed funds rate by another half a percentage point. The Federal Open Market Committee raised the fed funds target range by a quarter of a percentage point, or 25 basis points, to 3.75% to 4% at the September policy meeting. Logan supported that move, but says it isn't enough.
Fed's Cook sees AI buildout as a major inflation risk in 2027
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook said Thursday that the build-out of artificial intelligence poses a major inflation risk for 2027. In a discussion with New York Fed President John Williams, Cook said that the physical buildout of AI is already causing inflationary pressure.
Fed officials say inflation should take priority with labor market stable
Three Federal Reserve officials said Thursday that a broadly stable economy allows the central bank to focus more on inflation than on employment. Federal Reserve Presidents Tom Barkin of Richmond, Susan Collins of Boston and Jeffrey Schmid of Kansas City took part in a panel at the Richmond Fed's Investing in Rural America conference in Asheville, North Carolina, on Thursday morning.
Fed watchdog says renovation mismanaged but no evidence of misconduct
The Federal Reserve's inspector general concluded that renovations of the central bank's headquarters in Washington, D.C., weren't well-managed, but there was no evidence of criminal misconduct. After more than a year of review, the inspector found in a report dated Tuesday that the Fed's Board of Governors failed to take actions that would have mitigated significant cost overruns.
Revisions Lift GDP Growth Estimates
The BEA on Wednesday reported that while updates to GDP estimates didn't dramatically change the overall picture of the economy, the average annual growth rate was revised up.
Odds of October rate increase drop as Fed's Williams signals he's open to a pause
Odds of an October Federal Reserve rate hike fell Tuesday after New York Fed President John Williams signaled there was no urgency to raise rates again. In a speech at the University at Buffalo on Tuesday, Williams signaled that one additional rate increase is his base case for the year, in line with the median forecast from policymakers in the latest Summary of Economic Projections.
AI will create 4 times as many jobs as it destroys, new research shows
Advances in AI and automation will force an estimated 11 million American workers to find new occupations over the next decade, but also will add almost quadruple that number of jobs to the economy, new research confirms. The numbers, laid out by the McKinsey Global Institute in a new report on Tuesday , gives another perspective of the impact on the U.S. labor market—by 2035. The jobs added aren't really surprising to experts.
Fed's Musalem says central bank must explain policies—or risk volatility
The Federal Reserve needs to explain how it determines policy decisions as the economic data roll in, not reduce communications with the public, St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem said Tuesday. In a speech at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Musalem said that there's been a “lively” debate about how the Fed should communicate its monetary policy decisions.
AI Should Create More Jobs Than Layoffs, Though It Will Still Be Painful — Barrons.com
Advances in AI and automation will force an estimated 11 million American workers to find new occupations over the next decade, but also will add almost quadruple that number of jobs to the economy, new research confirms. The numbers, laid out by the McKinsey Global Institute in a new report on Tuesday, gives another perspective of the impact on the U.S. labor market-by 2035. The jobs added aren't really surprising to experts.
From steak to beans: Cleveland Fed chief warns inflation is pushing household budgets to the brink
Cleveland Federal Reserve President Beth Hammack is worried that the effects of persistently high inflation are starting to change how consumers and businesses think about longer-term costs. “Persistently high inflation has real costs for individuals,” Hammack said Friday during the Cleveland Fed's Inflation: Drivers and Dynamics Conference.
Why the economy can handle surging bond yields — for now
Bond yields have been eye-watering in recent days, which might be expected to bring slower growth across a range of industries, including real estate and construction. But at this stage the rising yields do not jeopardize economic growth, in part because the cause of the recent surge has shifted. For most of this year, 10-year Treasury yields rose due to inflation fears and a growing national debt that crossed the $40 trillion threshold last month.
AI Isn't Destroying the Job Market-and Why It Won't — Barrons.com
Stop worrying about a job apocalypse. New research suggests the technology is creating new roles rather than wiping out all white-collar work. Even before artificial intelligence threatened to destroy humanity, it was poised to wipe out the workforce. So said legions of doomsayers, from tech executives to computer scientists to Wall Street analysts, who gained notoriety predicting mass unemployment as thinking algorithms mastered the complex tasks once performed by workers.
Fed’s Paulson joins chorus of policymakers predicting more rate increases ahead
; ; ; Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
Fed's Paulson Joins Chorus of Policymakers Predicting More Rate Increases Ahead — Barrons.com
Fed's Paulson Joins Chorus of Policymakers Predicting More Rate Increases Ahead — Barrons.com Anna Paulson, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, joined the growing number of policymakers warning that the central bank will likely need to implement additional rate increases to rein in inflation. In remarks at the Philadelphia Fed's Annual Fintech Conference, Pauslon said she supported raising the federal-funds rate to a range of 3.75% to 4% at last week's meeting.
AI Won't Destroy the Job Market — Barrons.com
Stop worrying about a "jobpocalypse." New research suggests the technology is creating new roles rather than wiping out all white-collar work. Even before artificial intelligence threatened to destroy humanity, it was poised to wipe out the workforce. So said legions of doomsayers, from tech executives to computer scientists to Wall Street analysts, who gained notoriety predicting mass unemployment as thinking algorithms mastered the complex tasks once performed by workers.
Fed’s Barkin warns businesses appear willing to pass on higher costs
; ; ; Continue reading More for You
Fed's Barkin warns businesses appear willing to pass on higher costs
Inflation is proving to be a “troublemaker” for the central bank, Richmond Federal Reserve President Tom Barkin said Tuesday. And the inflationary pressures from businesses struggling with higher operating costs are still building in some areas. In prepared remarks for the CFA Society of Baltimore, Barkin said Tuesday that while “not that much” had changed in the inflation trajectory in the most recent data, that was precisely the issue.
Fed's Goolsbee says inflation components matter just as much as the overall pace
The Federal Reserve just started raising interest rates, but the big question now is how much longer officials will continue tightening monetary policy. The answer, it seems, depends not only on the trajectory of inflation, but also the composition, according to Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee. The Federal Open Market Committee r aised the Fed funds range to 3.75% to 4% at the conclusion of last week's policy meeting.
Fed's Goolsbee Says Inflation Components Matter Just as Much as the Overall Pace — Barrons.com
The Federal Reserve just started raising interest rates, but the big question now is how much longer officials will continue tightening monetary policy. The answer, it seems, depends not only on the trajectory of inflation, but also the composition, according to Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee. The Federal Open Market Committee raised the Fed funds range to 3.75% to 4% at the conclusion of last week's policy meeting.
Warsh just gave Wall Street a reason to trust the Fed again
Wednesday's rate increase went a long way toward stabilizing the Federal Reserve's credibility. In the wake of higher rates, stocks rose and pressure in the bond market eased slightly on Thursday morning. Although the Fed still faces political pressure to lower interest rates, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to raise the fed funds range to 3.75% to 4% on Wednesday.
Fed rate increase bolsters Warsh’s credibility
; ; ; ; Continue reading More for You
Higher interest rates lead to more inflation, says this economist. Take that, central bankers.
The Federal Reserve has spent more than five years promising the American public that policymakers will bring inflation sustainably back to the central bank's 2% annual target. On Sept. 16 the Fed raised interest rates in pursuit of that goal. John Cochrane, a prominent economist and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, thinks that higher rates are a short-term solution, at best.
Higher interest rates lead to more inflation, says this economist. Take that, central bankers.
; ; ; ; Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
Fed signals limited tightening ahead despite stubborn inflation
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday in an effort to speed up the return to price stability. But while policymakers signaled that more tightening was ahead, they penciled in only a limited number of rate hikes in the coming months—even with inflation expected to remain above target for years. At the conclusion of a two-day policy meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to raise its target for the federal-funds rat e by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75% to 4%.
Why the Fed's slam dunk rate increase might be a mistake
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise interest rates Wednesday for the first time in more than three years, but some economists say a hike would be a mistake. The Fed is expected to lift its benchmark rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75%-4%. Fed-funds futures traders put the odds of a hike at 91%, up from just 30% ahead of the central bank's July meeting, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Why the Fed’s slam dunk rate increase might be a mistake
; ; ; ; Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
Review & preview: Walk the walk
; ; ; ; Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
The Fed Is Ready to Raise Rates but Some Say It's a Mistake — Barrons.com
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise interest rates Wednesday for the first time in more than three years, but some economists say a hike would be a mistake. The Fed is expected to lift its benchmark rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75%-4%. Fed-funds futures traders put the odds of a hike at 91%, up from just 30% ahead of the central bank's July meeting, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Pump pain: Will gas spikes fuel inflation?
Gasoline prices are rising, but it will be a few months before everyday Americans and policymakers know whether or not the latest spikes will lead to higher inflation. With the conflict in the Middle East intensifying in recent weeks, prices at the pump are on the rise again, jumping 13 cents in just a week and hitting $4.32 per gallon for regular unleaded on Monday, according to AAA. Diesel prices were surging even more, averaging $6.23 per gallon, the highest average on record.
Pump Pain: Will Gas Spikes Fuel Inflation?
Rising gas prices, which have pushed up air travel and other costs, could affect more sectors as the Iran war continues. One economist said watch prices for toys and even trash collection for early signs of trouble.
Higher Gasoline Prices Drive Up Inflation
Higher Gasoline Prices Drive Up Inflation Fri, 11 September 2026 at 12:51 pm UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Higher Gasoline Prices Drive Up Inflation The index for gasoline rose 3.9% month over month in August, which helped push the overall energy index up 2.1% after two consecutive monthly declines. Natural gas prices declined 1.1% in August, while electricity fell 0.2%, but that wasn't enough to offset the rise in gasoline prices.
Review & preview: Inflation watch
; ; ; ; Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
Wholesale inflation rose 0.4% in August as diesel costs surge
; ; Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
Wholesale inflation rose 0.4% in August as diesel costs surge
U.S. wholesale inflation was right in line with economists' expectations last month, with a firmer monthly reading that was led by higher diesel fuel prices. The producer price index for total final demand rose 0.4% in August, translating to growth of 5.4% year over year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. That's exactly what economists surveyed by FactSet expected to see from producer prices in August after wholesale inflation rose a revised 0.1% in July.
Wholesale Inflation Rose 0.4% in August as Diesel Costs Surge
Wholesale Inflation Rose 0.4% in August as Diesel Costs Surge Thu, 10 September 2026 at 12:53 pm UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Wholesale Inflation Rose 0.4% in August as Diesel Costs Surge U.S. wholesale inflation was right in line with economists' expectations last month, with a firmer monthly reading that was led by higher diesel fuel prices.
Wholesale Inflation Rose 0.4% as Expected in August — Barrons.com
Wholesale Inflation Rose 0.4% as Expected in August — Barrons.com U.S. wholesale inflation was right in line with economists' expectations last month. The producer price index for total final demand rose 0.4% in August, translating to growth of 5.4% year over year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. That's exactly what economists surveyed by FactSet expected to see from producer prices in August after wholesale inflation rose a revised 0.1% in July.
Skip the Rate Hike, Trim the Balance Sheet, Some Fed Watchers Urge — Barrons.com
Market odds of a September increase in interest rates rose on Friday after a strong August jobs report, disappointing equity investors. They aren't alone. Some Fed watchers think the Federal Reserve should not only hold rates steady, but use tools other than the federal-funds rate to curb high inflation and foster economic prosperity. "A hike would be a policy mistake," Barry Knapp, director of research at Ironsides Macroeconomic, says.
A Fed Rate Hike Depends on Hot Inflation. Don't Count on Either. — Barrons.com
Many economists and investors expect the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point at its Sept. 16-17 policy meeting. But this coming week's inflation data may prove cool enough to keep officials on the sidelines-and the federal-funds rate in a target range of 3.50% to 3.75%.
Fed Officials Open the Door to Holding Interest Rates Steady This Month — Barrons.com
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh ignited expectations for an interest-rate hike in September with his hawkish Jackson Hole speech. Other Fed officials have since softened the message. Three of the Fed's policymakers said this week that they are awaiting the August inflation data to determine whether it would be appropriate to approve an increase in the federal-funds rate at the Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Sept. 15-16.
Fed's Waller hints at September rate pause—if August inflation plays along
Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said Thursday that August inflation data will heavily guide his decision on whether to raise or keep interest rates steady at the upcoming September meeting. But he laid out a compelling case for why cooling inflation could keep him on hold. In prepared remarks for an event in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Waller said that while inflation is still “meaningfully” above the Fed's 2% target, he's seeing signs of cooling in recent data.
Kalshi Jumps Into the Debt Projection Game — Barrons.com
Kalshi Jumps Into the Debt Projection Game — Barrons.com KALSHI Estimating the U.S. national debt as a percentage of economic growth seems to have become something of a national pastime-one that is moving beyond data nerds. Prediction-market platform Kalshi announced Thursday that it was releasing a 10-year debt-to-gross-domestic-product projection that is built on real-time, crowdsourced data and fiscal forecasts from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Fed's Waller Open to Holding Rates Steady at September Meeting — Barrons.com
Fed's Waller Open to Holding Rates Steady at September Meeting — Barrons.com Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said Thursday that August inflation data will heavily guide his decision on whether to raise or keep interest rates steady at the upcoming September meeting. But he laid out a compelling case for why cooling inflation could keep him on hold.
Trump wants lower rates. That won't stop a Fed rate hike.
President Donald Trump has made it clear that he wants lower interest rates, but his latest comments won't stop the Federal Reserve from hiking. The administration's core mandate remains lower interest rates, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent going as far as doubling long-term debt buybacks as yields surged last month. But Trump appears largely willing to give Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh some breathing room for now. “I have a lot of respect for [Warsh] and he'll do what he has to do.
Why Friday's jobs report could surprise the Fed and shock markets
The latest economic data doesn't point to a major resurgence in payrolls coming later this week, potentially complicating the Federal Reserve's rate decision later this month. Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh gave a hawkish speech at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium on Friday. That recalibrated the markets' expectations in favor of a rate hike at the September policy meeting after a recent bout of cooler inflation data had dampened expectations that the Fed would raise interest rates.
Jobs Data Could Complicate the Fed’s Rate Hike Plans
The above button links to Coinbase. Yahoo Finance is not a broker-dealer or investment adviser and does not offer securities or cryptocurrencies for sale or facilitate trading. Coinbase pays us for certain activity generated through this link. Prices displayed are informational.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Megan
Contact Megan, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack