Will next week's U.S. CPI data trigger a September rate hike? BofA and Citi present two opposing scenarios.
BofA Securities projects that the core CPI will rise by 0.22% month-on-month in August, arguing that inflation remains sufficiently elevated to support a rate hike in September. In contrast, Citi forecasts core CPI growth of only 0.18%, with the annual rate declining to 2.3%, suggesting the Federal Reserve is more likely to hold rates steady. The divergence between these two institutions stems from the discrepancy between CPI and PCE trends, as well as Governor Waller’s key tolerance threshold for inflation. Analysts suggest that if the data comes in hotter than expected, the Fed may be forced to adopt a more aggressive tightening path.
Non-farm payrolls unexpectedly surge, lifting the probability of a September rate hike to approximately 60%, triggering simultaneous repricing in U.S. equities and bonds.
U.S. nonfarm payrolls for August significantly exceeded expectations, further widening market分歧 over the Federal Reserve's policy direction in September.
How does Wall Street view the August non-farm payrolls? Strong employment figures have not ended the suspense over a September rate hike; next week's CPI holds "decisive significance."
The U.S. non-farm payrolls report for August was surprisingly strong, prompting the market to reassess the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate hike in September. However, Wall Street does not believe this resolves the policy uncertainty. According to analysts at multiple institutions, while the robust employment data has indeed strengthened the hand of the hawkish camp within the Fed, it is insufficient on its own to determine the outcome of the September monetary policy meeting. The CPI data scheduled for release next week remains the key factor likely to "set the direction." On Friday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that non-farm payrolls increased by 162,000 in August, far exceeding the market expectation of 56,000. Additionally, job gains for the previous two months were revised upward by a combined 55,000, with July's figure being adjusted from a decrease of 23,000.
快讯 | 美国8月非农增加16.2万人,远高于预期;失业率为4.1%符合预期
US Aug. Non-Farm Payrolls +162000 Vs +56000 Forecast, Prior +21000; US Aug. Unemployment Rate 4.1% Vs 4.1% Forecast, Prior 4.1%
The U.S. non-farm payrolls data for August will be released at 20:30 tonight. Bank of America states that the non-farm report is merely a precursor, with the CPI holding the trigger for policy decisions; employment data would need to show a "significant w
The key market driver in tonight’s non-farm payrolls report is whether it can alter expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike in September. If job growth turns negative for a second consecutive month, or if the unemployment rate rises to 4.3%, market pricing may loosen significantly; otherwise, inflation will continue to dominate policy assessments.
Non-farm payrolls to be released tonight! New jobs may total only 56,000; how will the S&P 500 react?
The U.S. nonfarm payrolls report for August is set to be released, with the market forecasting a modest increase of only 56,000 jobs. While labor market conditions remain weak, they have not deteriorated significantly; the Federal Reserve’s policy focus remains on inflation, meaning that soft nonfarm payrolls data does not necessarily imply an interest rate cut. JPMorgan anticipates that different outcomes could lead to markedly divergent trajectories for the S&P 500.
Update: US Equity Indexes Rise, Treasury Yields Slump Amid Plunging Bets of September Fed Policy Tightening
(Updates with index/price moves, macroeconomic data, and company/geopolitical news from the first paragraph.)US equity indexes rose as government bond yields slumped amid a fall in market
The yen surged suddenly amid renewed rumors of Japanese intervention, prompting a rebound in gold and silver prices.
The yen strengthened sharply on Wednesday, while the U.S. Dollar Index recorded its largest intraday decline since August 21, with spot gold approaching $4,400. Rumors circulated that Japanese authorities had intervened again, but traders viewed the magnitude of the gain as insufficient to confirm intervention.
Gold selling pressure is nearing exhaustion! Deutsche Bank: Even a hawkish Federal Reserve struggles to curb the strength of precious metals, with the next rally potentially driven by proactive capital inflows.
The gold market is standing at a critical turning point.
Following Waller's hawkish remarks, market focus shifts to rate hikes; Morgan Stanley sees balance sheet reduction as more likely
Following the Jackson Hole meeting, market attention has focused on interest rate hike expectations. However, Morgan Stanley economist Carpenter highlights that Governor Waller’s long-standing advocacy for shrinking the $7 trillion balance sheet should not be overlooked. The Federal Reserve is expected to launch a balance sheet reduction program exceeding $1.5 trillion next year, partially substituting for interest rate hikes.
U.S. forces launched a night raid on the Strait of Hormuz, destroying two Iranian launchers; the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed "inevitable retaliation"!
U.S. forces conducted a night raid on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rocket launchers on Iran's Larak Island, alleging they were preparing to lay mines. This marks the first time since late July that Washington has publicly acknowledged military action against Iran. Tehran has vowed retaliation and claimed to have fired missiles at U.S. military bases.
After Waller’s speech at Jackson Hole, is the Fed left with no choice but to hike rates in September?
Following Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller’s hawkish debut at the Jackson Hole Annual Symposium, markets rapidly priced in expectations of a Fed rate hike in September. On Friday, Waller stated unequivocally that the 2% inflation target remains "unwavering" and that current financial conditions are "hardly restrictive." He noted that recent PCE and CPI data, which came in better than expected, were insufficient to demonstrate a "meaningful improvement" in underlying inflation trends. He set a clear threshold for action: unless there is confidence that inflation is declining at a "clear and sufficiently fast" pace, the Fed "still has work to do." Markets quickly incorporated these hawkish signals. The yield on the two-year U.S. Treasury note jumped 12 basis points to 4.35%, marking its highest level since June.
Jackson Hole Symposium: Uncertainties and Implications?
The upcoming Jackson Hole Annual Meeting undoubtedly represents a critical window for Warsh to repair the credibility gap in the Federal Reserve’s policy communication.
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh makes his Jackson Hole debut tonight; what lies ahead for U.S. stocks? Historical data offers insights.
① Kevin Warsh will deliver his first Jackson Hole speech since assuming the role of Federal Reserve Chair tonight, with significant implications for U.S. equities; ② In most cases, particularly over the past three years, Wall Street has reacted positively to remarks by the Fed Chair at Jackson Hole; ③ However, there are compelling reasons to believe that this year may be different.
The Jackson Hole Annual Symposium is underway! Global markets are awaiting answers from Waller at 10:00 PM tonight.
① The highly anticipated Federal Reserve Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, commonly known as the "Global Central Bankers' Annual Meeting," kicked off this Thursday against the majestic backdrop of Wyoming's Teton Range; ② Central bank governors, policymakers, economists, and scholars have gathered to discuss major economic policy issues of our time.
Hawkish voices emerge! On the eve of Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole debut, three Federal Reserve officials issue simultaneous inflation warnings
On Thursday, three Federal Reserve officials expressed continued concern about the U.S. inflation outlook. Currently, central bank officials are gathering in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to attend the Kansas City Fed’s closely watched annual economic symposium.
Walsh's speech at Jackson Hole is expected to offer little insight, while Waller's comments in September may hold greater trading value.
Federal Reserve Chair Walsh is scheduled to speak at Jackson Hole on Friday, but is expected to maintain his usual ambiguous style without providing clear signals on interest rates, leaving the bond market without directional guidance. Analysts believe the real trading window may open on September 3, when Governor Waller will address the inflation outlook. With only two days remaining before the FOMC blackout period begins, his remarks are likely to carry significant market weight.
Global Spotlight! At 20:30 tonight, the Federal Reserve’s "preferred inflation gauge" will be released. Will the interest rate script be rewritten?
① At 20:30 Beijing Time on Wednesday (August 26), the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report for July will be released; ② As the Federal Reserve’s “preferred inflation gauge,” the latest PCE data will provide a key reference for assessing the U.S. economic outlook and serve as an important catalyst for repricing U.S. interest rate expectations.
Rescuing U.S. Treasuries! Beyond buybacks, Bessent has another major move: dollar stablecoins
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent is implementing an "Operation Twist" strategy—issuing more short-term Treasuries while repurchasing long-term ones—to suppress long-end interest rates. Bessent views stablecoins as a new source of demand for short-term Treasuries, with relevant U.S. legislation requiring dollar-denominated stablecoins to be backed by assets such as Treasuries maturing within 93 days. Citi estimates that if the stablecoin market reaches $4 trillion, holdings of short-term Treasuries could account for approximately one-quarter of all outstanding short-term Treasuries by 2030.
Bank of America's Hartnett warns of three "Maginot Lines": $4 oil, USD/JPY at 160, and 5% U.S. Treasury yields
Hartnett warns that if Bessent fails to push the yield on 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds below 5%, the U.S. dollar will decline sharply, and markets will shift toward shorting risk assets, leveraged positions (such as AI hyperscale computing power and private credit), and cyclical assets (including financial stocks). Hartnett maintains a bullish stance on gold and niche long-duration assets, describing the current policy gamble as extreme, where "success is expected, and failure is unthinkable."