Spreadex Market Update

Traders Brace For Powell’s Jackson Hole Speech



Today sees the headline event of the week for financial markets with Fed Chairman Powell due to speak at the Jackson Hole Symposium.

On the back of yesterday’s upward revision to the Q2 GDP result, Wall Street rallied while the US Dollar is trading a little firmer. While still negative on the quarter, the move from -0.9% q/q initially to -0.6% was welcomed by markets.

Heading into today’s event, expectations are broadly in favour of a hawkish tilt from the Fed chairman. With inflation still at elevated levels, the market is looking for Powell to reaffirm the Fed’s commitment to pushing ahead with tightening and will be particularly interested in any clues as to whether September is likely to see another aggressive move (75bps or more).

Beyond that, traders will be keen to hear how Powell sees inflation developing next year. Any comments around an expected sharp drop off in inflation might prove bearish for USD while any outlook referring to an extended period of higher inflation should keep USD well supported.

 

Key Factors for Today

- USD firmer ahead of Jackson Hole event today – Powell expected to reaffirm Fed hawkishness
- Equities take a breather today amidst better start for USD
- ECB minutes show bank focused on further rate hikes with inflation forecast to continue higher
- GBP weakens on growing political uncertainty
- Oil prices slip back as Dollar stabilises

 

Coming Up

- USD US Core PCE
- USD UoM consumer sentiment
- USD Jackson Hole event – Powell speaks

 

Equities Surge Ahead of Jackson Hole

 

Equitiy markets shot higher again yesterday, benefiting from the weakness in US Dollar. However, we’re seeing equities softening a little across the European open on Friday as traders sit on their hands ahead of the Jackson Hole event.
The DAX came under pressure from a hawkish set of ECB minutes early Thursday, while the Hang Seng was seen recording its largest daily gain since early June on the back of further stimulus announced in China.
Looking to today’s event, if we see USD well bid on the back end, we can expect equities prices to soften. Alternatively, any drop in USD should help drive the current equities rally higher into next week.
AUD Boosted by China Stimulus
In FX, USD has taken centre stage as the strongest performer over the European open on Friday. Just behind it we’re seeing AUD remaining buoyant after a solid week of risk-on flows has helped lift sentiment in the currency. Successive rounds of Chinese stimulus recently have been a boost for Aussie markets though longer-run concerns over lockdowns in China are darkening the horizon somewhat.

GBP has fallen back again into the end of the week with the UK currency the weaker performer today. Political uncertainty amidst a change in leadership is leaning on GBP sentiment and looks likely to remain a headwind as we approach the official hand-over of power in the UK.
Hawkish ECB Minutes Underpin EUR
The ECB minutes yesterday saw the bank citing the need to push ahead with further aggressive tightening in light of a worsening inflation outlook. With the bank forecasting CPI increases to run higher and for longer than initially projected, July’s 50bps hike looks to be the first of many to come.
Oil Prices Slip on Firmer USD
Oil prices slipped back yesterday. Following a decent start to the week which saw prices reversing higher off recent lows, the uptick in USD has curbed demand for now. The broader backdrop for oil remains difficult to pin down with growing recession concerns the obvious downside factor to monitor as we head into the end of the year.

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