# Waller Sees Solid U.S. Labor Market, Easing Pressure for 2026 Hikes

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/53781
Published: 2026-11-11T10:00:27.000Z
Updated: 2026-11-11T10:00:27.000Z
Section: Regulation

> Unemployment held at 4.1%, while job openings fell to about 1.1 for every unemployed worker.

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller described the U.S. labor market as solid and balanced, a view that may ease pressure for another Federal Reserve rate hike in 2026.

Employment is nearing the central bank’s goals for maximum employment. The assessment comes as the unemployment rate holds at 4.1%, while job openings have fallen to about 1.1 per unemployed worker.

Those indicators suggest a labor market without a significant shortfall, rather than one showing clear employment weakness. Waller’s remarks point to less urgency for additional tightening on labor-market grounds, but do not amount to a decision on the Fed’s 2026 rate path.

The likelihood of another hike had been trending higher before the comments; Waller’s assessment may moderate that trend. Upcoming Fed communications and inflation and employment data will offer further signals on policy. Stronger-than-expected inflation or employment data could strengthen the case for more tightening.