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How the Fed Reads the Rising Participation Rate
Season 3
Episode 103
Published 2 days, 11 hours ago
Description
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a surprising shift in the labor market: after months of falling participation, the rate ticked up slightly in June. They break down what the Fed sees in the details—prime-age workers returning, but older workers still on the sidelines—and why this seemingly good news complicates the rate path. With the fed funds rate at 3.63% and core PCE still sticky at 130.1, the hosts explain why a participation increase might actually delay rate cuts if it keeps wage pressure alive. They also tie in China's rising producer prices and what that means for global inflation signals the Fed watches.