Goldman Sachs Chief Economist: Expects Fed to Continue Data-Dependent Approach, Unswayed by Survey Pressure

January 12 – Goldman Sachs Chief Economist Jan Hatzius said Monday that threats of criminal charges against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell would heighten market concerns over the central bank’s independence, though he expects the Fed to still base policy decisions on economic data. Speaking at the 2026 Goldman Sachs Global Strategy Conference, Hatzius noted: “Concerns about compromised Fed independence are clearly rising, and the latest news of a criminal investigation into Chair Powell further reinforces these worries.” He added: “I have no doubt Powell will continue making data-driven decisions for the remainder of his term—un swayed by pressure, whether toward rate hikes or cuts, he’ll follow the data.” (FXStreet)