Stay ahead of the markets as Powell takes the stage at Jackson Hole. Get the latest on equities, commodities, FX, and geopolitical risks shaping trading this week.
Traders are closing the week on edge as all eyes turn to Jackson Hole for Powell’s next big signal. Equities are flat—U.S. futures barely budging while European indices swing with every Ukraine headline.
Commodities show more action: oil’s pushing higher despite oversupply fears, while gold finds mild support from a softer dollar. In FX, the greenback drifts lower on rising rate-cut bets, but expect volatility to kick up once Powell steps up to the mic.
Markets
Waiting on Powell: Markets Stuck in Neutral
This week feels like one big holding pattern. Traders are parked, waiting for Powell at Jackson Hole to drop clues on where the Fed’s really leaning—and how divided they are on rate cuts.
Geopolitics aren’t helping either, with Ukraine peace talk headlines keeping a layer of uncertainty in the mix. Still, not everyone’s gloomy—surveys show pockets of investor optimism hanging in there.
Stocks
Earnings, Data, and Powell on Deck
Equities are moving cautious—U.S. futures under pressure as traders juggle earnings, fresh data, and the countdown to Powell. Small-caps are flashing some relative strength, a sign of resilience even while the big indices stall.
Across Europe, geopolitics spark mild gains, though sector action is uneven—defense stocks lag as de-escalation chatter cools the bid.
Commodities
Commodities: Split Signals
Oil’s curve is leaning bullish, even with oversupply forecasts hanging over the market—a setup that could spell storage headaches if demand slows. Gold, on the other hand, is steady, getting support from a softer dollar and fading hopes of deep Fed cuts.
Both markets are stuck in a tug of war between upbeat narratives (think OPEC+ moves) and hard supply realities, keeping traders on guard for sharp sentiment flips.
Forex
Greenback Grinds Higher, Uncertainty Lingers
The dollar’s ticking higher as traders lean into Fed rate-cut bets, but the move’s anything but clean—volatility’s still running hot with U.S. growth and inflation in the balance.
Safe-haven flows are picky, and EM currencies keep grinding through geopolitical and trade noise. Bottom line: FX desks are in cautious repositioning mode, waiting for Powell to set the tone. Disclaimer:
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 77.41% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Publication date:
2025-08-25 10:45:21 (GMT)
Challenges