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EUR/USD, FED, POWELL, INFLATION, US DOLLAR, CHINA, JACKSON HOLE - TALKING POINTS:
Markets remained subdued ahead of the Jackson Hole symposium.
Fed-speak around inflation expectations will be closely watched.
EUR/USD liquidity may be short on surprises. Will the Euro downtrend resume?

British Pound (GBP) Price Outlook:
US dollar holds the key to the next GBP/USD move.
UK new covid cases continue to rise.

Hang Seng Index is down close to 6.5% year-to-date. Does its recent bounce indicate a longer-term shift in sentiments?

NASDAQ PRICE, CHART, AND ANALYSIS:
Tech stocks may be betting on Jay Powell delaying a taper timetable announcement.
Meme stocks back in the spotlight.

The long-term outlook highlights a propensity for gold to outperform. However, with treasury yields on the rise, could we be set for a period of relative silver strength?

Tapering talk looks likely to dominate the Jackson Hole Symposium, but recent FOMC minutes highlight the potential for volatility given growing uncertainty.

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READING CANDLESTICK CHARTS – TALKING POINTS:
Candlestick charts differ greatly from the traditional bar chart.
Traders generally prefer using candlestick charts for day-trading because they offer an enjoyable visual perception of price.
It’s important to understand the key components of a candle, and what they indicate, to apply candlestick chart analysis to a trading strategy.

GOLD, XAU/USD, US DOLLAR, JACKSON HOLE - TALKING POINTS:
Gold prices point higher as the trading week kicks off.
Bullion investors sharply focused on Jackson Hole.
Chair Powell’s signal on tapering key to XAU direction.

A slight reprieve for equity markets late Friday has continued into this week as Asian indices see broad-based gains. However, concerns over the global outlook remain amid the ongoing slowdown across China, while the rising spread of the Delta variant also adds to this fragile sentiment. The bounce back in equity markets had largely stemmed from comments made by Fed’s Kaplan who noted that if the Delta variant would be persistent or start to affect demand, they would have to adjust policy views accordingly. This is noteworthy as not only is it the first Fed official to notably signal that the Fed’s outlook could be altered by the current path of Covid cases, but also Kaplan is among the most hawkish members at the bank and thus this sentiment may be shared by the more moderate members.

EQUITIES ANALYSIS & NEWS.
Focus on taper talks at the Jackson Hole Symposium.
Equities to remain sensitive despite expectations being almost certain.
Key levels to watch in the DAX 30 and S&P 500.

Flash PMIs from around the globe will provide some insight into the global economy, but the main event will be the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, at which the Fed is expected to provide more details of its tapering outlook. Corporate data is mostly quiet, with little in the way of big name earnings, as might be expected for the final full week of August.

FTSE 100, FED TAPER, ECB, DELTA VARIANT, COMMODITIES, OIL – TALKING POINTS:
FTSE extends recent decline, falling in each of the last six sessions.
Continued declines in oil and other commodities dampened sentiment.
Fears over a 2021 taper from the Federal Reserve have caused equities to wobble of late.

CENTRAL BANK WATCH OVERVIEW:
While some semblance of stimulus reduction has already begun, the BOE doesn’t seem to think inflation pressures are anything more than transitory.
The ECB doesn’t meet again until September, though there has been plenty of signaling that extraordinary policy measures will be sticking around.
Retail trader positioning suggests that EUR/USD has a bullish bias while GBP/USD has a bearish bias.

With JD.com’s share price having fallen by close to 25% year-to-date, can its upcoming Q2 results lift sentiments?

Tencent H1 2021 results have beaten consensus estimates, although online gaming revenue lags the FinTech and advertising divisions.

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FOMC meeting minutes Key points:
FOMC minutes show that policy makers are divided on the pace of monetary tightening.
Economic growth is expected to remain strong in 2021.
The rise in inflation is expected to be transitory, although elevated levels could persist for longer than originally anticipated.
Employment remains below pre-pandemic levels and requires ‘substantial progress’ to reach ‘maximum employment’ (4.5%).
The Jackson Hole Symposium commencing on the 26th of August is expected to reveal updated insights from Federal Reserve members.
The dollar has renewed its strengthening trend post the FOMC minuet release.

FOMC MINUTES, US DOLLAR (DXY), AUSTRALIA JOBS, AUD/USD – TALKING POINTS:
The US Dollar eventually found friends after the FOMC minutes.
Asia Pacific equities followed Wall street lower as risks loom.
Australian unemployment falls, but how much further will AUD/USD drop?

US DOLLAR, FOMC MINUTES, RBNZ, NZD/USD, EUR/USD – TALKING POINTS:
US Dollar held ground in APAC trade, set to test key levels ahead of FOMC minutes.
Asia Pacific equity markets found some support despite a soft Wall Street lead.
RBNZ decision provided NZD volatility, market looking at EUR/USD support levels.

GOLD PRICE OUTLOOK:
Gold and silver prices held gains ahead of Wednesday’s FOMC meeting minutes.
Disappointing US retail sales data and rising geopolitical tensions in Afghanistan boosted demand for gold.
Prices are eyeing $1,785 for immediate resistance, breaching which may open the door for further gains.

CRUDE OIL, BRENT, INFLATION, DELTA VARIANT, COVID-19, IRAN - TALKING POINTS:
Crude oil prices could rise as tensions with Iran stoke supply disruption fears.
Delta variant spread may derail global recovery and impede crude oil’s gains.
Between politics and global demand, which factor will be the most influential?

RBNZ RATE DECISION, DELTA COVID-19, NZD/USD –TALKING POINTS:
RBNZ keeps Official Cash Rates at 0.25% with country in snap Covid lockdown.
The New Zealand Dollar sold off after the decision through the prior low 0.6880.
Potential for NZD/USD to weaken further as rate hike expectations wind back.

Rising chance of 2020 tapering a significant risk for gold, with the precious metal likely to lose ground if central banks start to tighten.

KEY TALKING POINTS:
New Zealand enters a snap 3-day lockdown after one confirmed case of Covid-19 in Auckland.
RBNZ probability of 25 bps hike drops to 85% from 100%.
NZD/USD resting on key support area.