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Markets Brace for Powell’s Remarks and Key Data (08.21.2025)

Financial markets traded cautiously ahead of Friday’s Jackson Hole symposium, where Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks are expected to provide critical direction on monetary policy. The euro held steady near $1.1645, supported by mixed Eurozone inflation data and lingering geopolitical concerns. 

The yen weakened toward 147.5 per dollar amid policy doubts at the Bank of Japan, while gold hovered around $3,340, with markets assigning an 82% chance of a September Fed rate cut. Sterling slipped toward $1.3450 ahead of PMI releases, and silver climbed to $37.85 on renewed easing expectations.

TimeCur.EventForecastPrevious
08:00EUREuro Area Services PMI50.851
08:00EUREuro Area Manufacturing PMI49.749.8
12:30USDInitial Jobless Claimless226K224K
12:30USDPhiladelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (Aug)6.815.9
13:45USDS&P Global Manufacturing PMI (Aug)49.749.8
13:45USDS&P Global Services PMI (Aug)54.255.7
14:00USDExisting Home Sales (Jul)3.92M      3.93M
23:30JPYInflation Rate YoY3.3%3.3%
23.30JPYCore Inflation Rate YoY3.1%3.3%

EUR/USD Holds as Markets Await Powell and PMI

The euro held steady at $1.1645 as markets awaited U.S. PMI data later today, while Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s upcoming speech on Friday is expected to guide sentiment following renewed questions over central bank independence.

In Europe, July inflation in the Eurozone remained unchanged as ECB President Christine Lagarde warned of persistent uncertainty and weaker Q4 growth. Meanwhile, optimism over U.S.–Ukraine talks faded after Kremlin remarks, weighing slightly on the euro.

Resistance is at 1.1770, with key support at 1.1600.

R1: 1.1770S1: 1.1600
R2: 1.1830S2: 1.1520
R3: 1.1900S3: 1.1350

BoJ Policy Doubts Keep Yen Under Pressure

The yen weakened to around 147.5 per dollar on Thursday as uncertainty over the Bank of Japan’s policy outlook persisted. While inflation forecasts have been revised higher and some officials signaled the possibility of a rate hike by year-end, Governor Ueda reiterated that core inflation has yet to be firmly anchored at 2%. Data pointed to manufacturing nearing stabilization and a slowdown in services, while markets looked ahead to the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium for global rate signals.

For USD/JPY, the nearest resistance is at 148.00, while the immediate support is at 145.00.

R1: 148.00S1: 145.00
R2: 151.50S2: 143.00
R3: 152.40S3: 140.00

Gold Flat with 82% Odds of September Cut

Gold steadied near $3,340 per ounce on Thursday as investors awaited Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks at the Jackson Hole symposium for policy guidance. Markets currently assign an 82% probability to a September rate cut, though Fed minutes signaled caution, with officials highlighting inflation and labor market risks. On the geopolitical front, Russia warned that security discussions on Ukraine excluding Moscow represent a “road to nowhere.”

Gold is currently facing resistance around $3,385, with strong support near $3,300.

R1: 3385S1: 3300
R2: 3420S2: 3275
R3: 3500S3: 3230

GBP/USD Falls Ahead of PMI and Powell Speech

GBP/USD slipped toward 1.3450 in Asian trade on Thursday as the U.S. dollar strengthened following firmer wholesale inflation and reduced expectations of a September Fed rate cut. Traders now await PMI figures from both the UK and U.S., while attention is also on Friday’s Jackson Hole symposium, where remarks from Fed Chair Powell could shape the dollar’s near-term direction.

The first resistance is seen at 1.3620, with nearby support beginning at 1.3340.

R1: 1.3620S1: 1.3340
R2: 1.3750S2: 1.3260
R3: 1.3850S3: 1.3000

Fed Cut Hopes Lift Silver Ahead of Powell

Silver (XAG/USD) climbed to about $37.85 in Asian trading on Thursday, supported by expectations of a September Fed rate cut. Stronger U.S. wholesale prices and retail sales reduced the likelihood of a larger 50 bps move, but markets still assign an 83% probability to easing. Lower rates are seen as supportive for the non-yielding metal, with investors awaiting Powell’s remarks at the Fed’s Jackson Hole symposium for further policy signals.

The first resistance at $38.70 and support at $36.75.

R1: 38.70S1: 36.75
R2: 40.50S2: 35.50
R3: 41.20S3: 33.90
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