Asian equities traded within a narrow range after US stocks and bonds fell as traders pared back wagers on imminent Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts. Shares in Japan and Australia declined while South Korea advanced. Treasuries were little changed after falling across the curve in the US session, sending yields higher. The yen steadied after Japan's July core inflation came in at 3.1%, against an estimate for 3%. We look at the global inflation picture with Ian Samson, Multi Asset Portfolio Manager at Fidelity International.
Meantime, stronger US economic data and a more hawkish tone from Fed officials have led money markets to price a 70% chance of a September rate cut, down from 90% a week ago. While data showed an increase in jobless claims — adding to signs of a slowing labor market — the solid factory purchasing managers index made traders trim their rate cut bets. A gauge of manufacturing grew at the fastest pace since 2022. Attention now turns to the central bank's annual Jackson Hole symposium, where Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak Friday at 10 a.m. New York time. We hear from Austan Goolsbee, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He speaks with Bloomberg's Michael McKee and Michael Shepard from Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
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