Attention spans change quickly. Really quickly. What’s old this week was hot last week. What’s new this week might include something that was hot a few weeks ago, plus fresh news. Getting hard to keep up. Wish we could just go back to Sydney Sweeney (remember her?).
Moving back to the top topic this week (at least Monday as I write) is, again, the Russia/Ukraine war. Yes, they’re still at it. After a quick trip up to Alaska last Friday to show Vladimir Putin around (I understand he really liked the stealth bomber flyover), peace is again in the air. While I’m writing, Ukraine President Zelensky is meeting with President Trump to discuss ending the war. Again. Last meeting didn’t go so well, but hey, ya gotta keep trying. This time Zelensky brought a European entourage for support.
Here’s how things might go: Zelensky, I want my territory that you (Putin) took. Putin: NO. There you are, all summed up.
With all this Ukraine/Russia war hogging the news, the previous hot war is so last month. Remember Iran? Bunker-busting bombs, rockets flying around, Israeli air strikes, etc. Yeah, now it all comes back. This week, Iran is out. Rest easy.
The second part of the week brings the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium. It’s the annual get-together (vacation) led by Fed Chair J. Powell with a supporting group of world central bankers and policymakers. They have lots to talk about this year. Like what? Inflation, tariffs, the always popular economic growth outlook, and this year, Fed (central bank) independence. Then throw in some interest rate discussion, and we got a symposium.
Certainly the Fed will not make any interest rate decisions this week, but it’s a pretty good bet that J. Powell will point out that inflation is still a very “sticky” problem (3% is not good). Trump’s constant bullying to lower interest rates might just make Mr. Powell hint that any rate cuts might have to wait a touch longer. Maybe yes, maybe no. But fireworks may go off as the meetings wrap up. It’s this week’s super-hot topic, which of course will fade next week.
So, with the Ukraine/Russia war dance now in the peace negotiation stage (probably taking months), that will now fall off the hot topic list. When the Fed Symposium finishes this weekend, that will also trail off—except for waiting for inflation and jobs numbers. What happens if inflation perks up? Will the Fed RAISE rates? Whoa. THAT will be the next hot topic.
But next week brings college football. There’s your hot topic. No Sydney Sweeney, but Taylor Swift may make a huge comeback. She might be a needed relief. Nah, never.
Bill Taylor is the CEO and Chief Market Strategist at Digital Wealth News, offering expert insights on markets and asset classes. A proud Horned Frog and Texas Christian University grad, he played college basketball while there. With a strong finance background and passion for digital innovation, Bill shares thought leadership on market trends and portfolio strategy for our audience.
