TODAY'S TOP STORY
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Powell under pressure, markets betting big on cuts
Jackson Hole takes center stage.
As Fed Chair Jerome Powell heads to the Jackson Hole symposium, markets are pricing in an 84–85% chance of a September rate cut (fueled by soft jobs data and cautious inflation) but internal dissent and inflation risks remain real headwinds.
Former President Trump’s push for rate relief adds political heat, while internal critiques of Powell’s leadership are mounting. (FT • Reuters)
Takeaway: The Fed dial is turning; just maybe not how you’d expect.
ECONOMY
Retail sales: soft, but not soft-landing
Retail spending in July rose 0.5% month-over-month, meeting expectations, but ex-autos, everything from electronics to dining is flagging. Consumers are still buying, but with a growing dose of caution. (Census • Investing)
TECHNOLOGY & RISK
Small bets, big wins
The “go micro” approach to AI implementation is proving to be a CFO’s best friend right now. Instead of rolling out monolithic platforms, nimble companies are deploying low-risk, high-impact AI projects; getting wins and reducing implementation anxiety. Good choice.
MARKET FORCES
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Stat: Gold is crushing other assets in 2025 (up nearly 28% YTD) with UBS forecasting it could hit $3,600/oz by March 2026, as ETFs flood in. (MarketWatch)
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Quote: “Plan. Get as much inventory as you can. That’s all you can do.” — Dibs CEO on the only thing CFOs control right now amid tariff chaos.
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Read: Deutsche Bank is shorting 10-year Treasuries, calling Fed rate-cut expectations unrealistic in the face of fiscal pressure. (Barron’s)
OPPORTUNITY
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Concrete rules, concrete jungle. Talking risk, strategy, and compliance in NYC on September 16. Be there, or risk being left behind.
Written by the caffeine-fueled finance nerds behind Good Morning, CFO. Forward this to someone who’d rather solve ROI than scan feeds.
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