Friday preview: Warsh speech in the spotlight

(Sharecast News) - Friday will mark a quiet end to a quiet week, with no major UK corporate or macro news due ahead of the long weekend, but all eyes will be on a hotly-anticipated speech by new Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium in Wyoming

Investors will be looking for any hints about monetary policy going forward from Warsh, who has so far been tight-lipped when it comes to his views on the US economy.

Neil Wilson, UK investor strategist at Saxo Markets, said: "Warsh has already said he won't tolerate high inflation, yet the Fed has missed its inflation target for years and current trends don't suggest inflation will come down soon. He has also categorically refused to deliver any kind of forward guidance - a decision that seems to have added some fuel to the bon(d)fire. In the absence of clear guidance to markets on the Fed's reaction function to inflation, volatility is filling the void.

"While Warsh's pointed lack of communication is probably unsustainable in the long run, it's doubtful he will start providing much colour at Jackson Hole, with the September FOMC meeting probably a more opportune time to set the tone. So key questions about the Fed's view of inflation and long-term rates may be left unanswered at Jackson Hole, providing scope for further volatility across bonds, FX and crypto markets in particular."

Also on Friday, the eurozone economic sentiment indicator for August, the Michigan consumer sentiment index for August and Chicago PMI will be out in the US.