Will SP Shrug Off FOMC Minutes?

Fiona Cincotta CityIndex

After selling off in the previous session, S&P futures are rebounding in early trade on Wednesday as investors await fresh clues on US monetary policy.

With little in the way of economic data in the European session attention has swung towards the FOMC minutes due for release at 18:00 BST. The minutes will give investors an insight into policy maker deliberations prior to the first US interest rate cut in a decade. Will Fed Powell and co stick to the “mid cycle adjustment” line or will they give something else to the markets?

Investors will be looking for acknowledgement from the Fed that downside risks have increased. However, given that the FOMC was prior to the most recent escalation in the US – Sino trade dispute, the minutes could be more hawkish than current market pricing.

As a result, there is a chance that the minutes could boost the dollar and drag US stocks and the S&P lower, as the prospect of loser monetary policy declines. Or the minutes could be shrugged off as outdated leaving investors to focus on more current pmi readings tomorrow and Fed Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole on Friday.

S&P Levels to watch: The S&P currently trades above the 50 and 100 sma but well below its 200 sma on the four hour chart.The price is nearing resistance at 2940, a convincing move through this level could see the price test 2957 prior to targeting 3000. On the downside near term support can be seen at 2890, prior to 2860/5.

Author

Fiona Cincotta

CityIndex

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