Evercore ISI said weak June employment likely reflects a return to normal after prior unexpected strength, and the Fed will remain focused on inflation. Economists there said some market participants view the report as materially lowering the odds of a rate hike this year, but they do not fully agree. Banco Santander analyst Stephen Stanley said inflation readings will determine Fed policy; he expects the June report may only slightly alter officials’ views and that most policymakers still see t

Evercore ISI said weak June employment likely reflects a return to normal after prior unexpected strength, and the Fed will remain focused on inflation. Economists there said some market participants view the report as materially lowering the odds of a rate hike this year, but they do not fully agree. Banco Santander analyst Stephen Stanley said inflation readings will determine Fed policy; he expects the June report may only slightly alter officials’ views and that most policymakers still see the labor market as stable. Stanley added financial markets overreacted to the print by cutting odds of another hike this year, which he judged inappropriate.