Fed has 'work to do' if price rises don't ease for Americans, Warsh says

The head of the US central bank said policymakers will "have work to do" if they are not confident cost of living pressures are easing for Americans.

Federal Reserve chairman Kevin Warsh said while inflation readings looked better than expected over the summer, they did not show that the current picture had "meaningfully improved".

The new Fed boss stressed that his remarks should not be treated as a guide for future interest rate decisions, but the comments suggest rates could be raised if policymakers believe inflation is too high.

The latest figures showed prices rose 3.4% in the year to July, above the Fed's 2% target.

Warsh made the comments in his first speech at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium in Wyoming, which sees central bankers, government officials and academics from around the world gather to talk about interest rates, inflation and other economic issues.

Warsh said given prices were rising by more than 2% on annual basis, "the Fed's predominant focus right now should be on prices".

"Here is my standard: We must be confident that underlying inflation is moving to our objective, clearly and at sufficient speed. Otherwise, we have work to do."

The central bank boss has remained tight-lipped about the potential path of interest rates, but investors will have watched his speech closely for any signs of the Fed's approach under his leadership.