Following recent developments in the US bond market, investors continue to watch the trajectory of long-term US government bonds. The war involving Iran is also likely to continue attracting attention. The US Treasury had announced on Wednesday that it intends to double its buybacks of long-term government bonds. Meanwhile, the minutes of the recent Federal Reserve meeting, which had been eagerly anticipated in advance, did not yield any truly new insights. At the same time, the annual central bank symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, coming up next week, is likely casting its initial shadow ahead.
S&P 500
Fed minutes barely spark momentum – Divergent views among ranks regarding interest rate hikes
The minutes of the most recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on July 28 and 29 showed that the US central bank is clearly divided regarding the future course of monetary policy. Late last month, the Fed kept the target interest rate range at 3.50 to 3.75 percent for the fifth consecutive time. However, three voting members had voted in favor of a quarter-percentage-point increase. In addition to the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland (Beth Hammack), the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis (Neel Kashkari) and the President of the Dallas Fed branch (Lorie Logan) advocated for a 25 basis point rate hike.
30-year US Treasury bonds
Jackson Hole Economic Symposium takes place from August 27th to 29th
The economic policy symposium in Jackson Hole is scheduled to take place from August 27th to 29th. Every year, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City hosts numerous central bankers and policymakers to discuss the future of monetary policy. A speech by the new Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh, is expected on Friday morning (local time). Investors are likely to hope for important monetary policy impulses in this context.
Key US economic data in focus
This Thursday, the weekly initial jobless claims in the US will first come into focus (2:30 PM). Friday is likely to be dominated by various purchasing managers„ indices (S&P Global) for the “services,„ “manufacturing,„ and “composite" sectors (3:45 PM).
