Increasingly, market strategists are advising their clients to stay sidelined until the Fed and ECB are either forthcoming with “exceptional” easing measures or sit tight, awaiting signs of further economic weakness. Trading volume, anemic this time of year in any case, has virtually evaporated, as holiday seekers leave their desks early, preferring to read the news of Bernanke’s Jackson Hole speech from their beech chairs on Friday, and awaiting details of any new bond-buying program after the September 6 ECB policy meeting. US futures are flat and little change is anticipated. Yesterday’s data was mixed: US home prices rose for the first time since 2012, while consumer confidence fell the most in ten months. Today’s calendar may show US second quarter GDP revised higher to indicate 1.7% growth from the initially posted, 1.5% gain, but lower than the first quarter’s 2% pace. July’s pending home sales may show sales up 1% from June, reversing June’s 1.4% fall. The Fed’s Beige Book of anecdotal economic reports is likely to show the economy recovering moderately, an improvement, perhaps, from the latest FOMC policy meeting minutes in which many members felt additional accommodation would be needed fairly quickly unless the economy picks up its pace. |