High-impact events loom, starting with Friday's Trump-Putin meeting at 8:00 AM EST, amid escalating Ukraine tensions and "land swapping" talks. US Retail Sales and Michigan Consumer Sentiment, also Friday at 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM EST respectively, are key for consumption outlook. Next Wednesday, FOMC Minutes at 2:00 PM EST and the start of Jackson Hole Symposium at 8:00 PM EST will heavily influence Fed rate cut expectations, currently at 99.8% for September despite recent core CPI. Trump's pressure on Powell and BLS adds further market uncertainty.
Traders should brace for significant volatility Friday around the geopolitical summit and consumer data, impacting USD and equity markets. Monitor FOMC Minutes and Jackson Hole next week for Fed's stance on rate cuts, especially given the White House's aggressive easing calls and recent jobs data.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.