US equity future prices pared earlier gains to trade lower, as investors hoped for clear signals on monetary easing, ahead of a closely watched speech from Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, this morning. 

Powell is scheduled to speak at 10am EST, at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. His public appearance will be the first since policymakers lowered rates in July. 

As chairman, Powell looks to be faced with a tough task of presenting a unified voice on Fed policy, on the back of one of the most divided US central bank in years. 

This comes as both the Fed and Powell remain exposed to an unprecedented siege from an angry president, during a period of tumultuous trading for capital markets in August. 

As of Friday morning, Fed funds futures had priced in close to a 90% likelihood of a 25-basis point rate cut at the Fed’s upcoming September meeting, and between one or two further quarter-point rate cuts between then and the end of the year.

Dissenting Fed voices may limit the prospects for the larger move that some, including President Donald Trump, have highly advocated for.

Prior to today’s session, US stocks had traded mixed on Thursday, as three Federal Reserve officials cast doubts on further rate cuts, while a reading of domestic manufacturing raised concerns over the health of the economy.

The S&P 500 ticked -0.03% lower after drifting between gains and losses. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite lost -0.32% of its value, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained positive, up +0.20% as shares of Boeing (BA: +4.24%) traded higher.

Ahead, alongside Powell’s speech, today’s economic calendar also includes; New Home Sales data for July at 10am EST. 

In earnings; Foot Locker (FL), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (RRGB) and Hibbett Sports (HIBB) are amongst today’s major companies scheduled to report today.

TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES
China & Trade: China Unveils Retaliatory Tariffs on Another $75 Billion of US Goods. (Bloomberg)
China plans to levy retaliatory tariffs on another $75 billion of US goods, and resume 25% tariffs on US autos from December 15.

Economy: Investors Look to Jackson Hole for Clues on Fed Moves. (Bloomberg)
Federal Reserve officials will be joined by academic economists and central bankers from around the world at a mountain resort near Jackson Hole, on Friday and Saturday for the Kansas City Fed’s annual economic symposium.

ECONOMIC CALENDAR
Today's Economical Announcements.

10:00AM - ★★★ - Fed Chair Powell Speaks
10:00AM - ★★★ - New Home Sales (Jul) (Previous: 646,000)

STOCKS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Pre-Market Movers & News Related Stocks.

HP Incorporated (HPQ): [EARNINGS] Beat estimates with quarterly profit, while revenue was essentially in line. HP also announced that CEO Dion Weisler will step down in November due to family-related reasons. Enrique Lores, head of HP's imaging and printing unit, will take over. The stock was off 8% in the premarket.

Salesforce (CRM): [EARNINGS] Beat estimates with its latest financial report. The business software company also gave an upbeat full-year guidance.

Hasbro (HAS): [BUYOUT] Will buy Entertainment One for about $4 billion in cash.

Gap (GPS): [EARNINGS] Came in 10 cents ahead of consensus with adjusted quarterly profit of 63 cents per share, with revenue in line with forecasts. However, the apparel retailer's comparable store sales fell by 4%, and its traditionally strong Old Navy brand saw a comparable store sales decline of 5%. The stock was lower in the premarket.

VMWare (VMW): [BUYOUT & EARNINGS] Announced the acquisition of Pivotal Software (PVTL) and Carbon Black (CBLK) in separate deals. Dell Technologies (DELL) is a controlling stakeholder in both VMWare and Pivotal. Separately, VMWare beat quarterly earnings and revenue estimates. 

Ross Stores (ROST): [EARNINGS] Reported earnings-per-share and revenue that came in slightly above forecasts. However, the company also said it sees a slight impact on its third and fourth-quarter earnings from the 10% tariff on goods sourced from China. The stock was under some pressure this morning.

MOMENTUM STOCKS
GAINERS: BJ, FSLY, JWN, PSTG, KEYS, CBLK, ALXN, SNPS, TGT
DECLINERS: MYGN, SPLK, NVTA, BLUE, SRPT, CREE, MSGN

TODAY'S IPOs
None.

WE WILL SHOW YOU THE WAY!