5 things to know before the stock market opens Friday, Aug. 27
Here are the most important news, trends and analysis that investors need to start their trading day:
1. Stock futures rise ahead of Fed chief Powell’s speech
A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021.
Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images
2. Inflation gauge that the Fed likes saw biggest jump since 1990s
Jerome Powell, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, arrives for a Senate Banking Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021.
Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The Fed’s favorite inflation gauge came in hot. The July personal consumption expenditures price index rose 4.2% from a year ago. July’s core PCE, which excludes food and energy prices, rose 3.6% year over year, the highest in decades. Rising inflation has been a concern in markets. Powell has said in the past that while prices pressures are mounting, they’re transitory. A number of Fed officials speak Friday before and after Powell’s 10 a.m. ET. speech. Investors hope the chairman provides guidance on when central bankers might consider tapering pandemic-era bond purchases.
3. Oil climbs as storm approaches Gulf of Mexico production hub
Pump jacks operate near Loco Hills on April 23, 2020 in Eddy County, New Mexico.
Paul Ratje | Getty Images
U.S. oil prices, on track for strong weekly gains, rose 2% early Friday on concerns about near-term supply disruptions as energy companies began shutting down production in the Gulf of Mexico ahead of a potential hurricane forecast to hit this weekend. Gulf of Mexico offshore wells account for 17% of U.S. crude oil production. More than 45% of total U.S. refining capacity lies along the Gulf Coast. Any moves in the dollar on Powell’s speech could impact oil prices.
4. U.S., allies warn more terrorist attacks likely in Afghanistan
Injured people being carried to a hospital as unspecified number of casualties reported after two explosions outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.
Sayed Khodaiberdi Sadat | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
The U.S. and its allies have warned that more terrorist attacks in Kabul are likely, as Tuesday’s deadline for military withdrawal from Afghanistan draws near. Two suicide bombers struck on Thursday near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, where thousands of people are still hoping to be evacuated following the Taliban’s takeover of the country. Thirteen U.S. servicemembers were among the more than 100 killed in the attacks. President Joe Biden vowed on Thursday to complete the evacuations and hunt down leaders of ISIS-K, which claimed responsibility for the bombings.
5. Covid cases in U.S. show signs of slowing, even as deaths surge again
New daily Covid cases are still on the rise in the U.S., climbing to their highest levels since January to a seven-day average of nearly 156,000. That’s a 10% increase from the prior week. The seven-day average of daily new Covid deaths was 1,194. That’s…
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