Market Awaits Powell’s Jackson Hole Speech as Stocks Edge Higher

U.S. equities opened modestly higher as investors braced for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's keynote at the Jackson Hole symposium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 275 points (0.28%) while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite gained 0.2% and 0.15% respectively.

Market sentiment showed tentative improvement despite recent volatility driven by earnings reports, soft labor data, and geopolitical tensions. UBS raised its S&P 500 year-end 2025 target to 6,600 from 6,200, reflecting growing institutional optimism.

All eyes remain on Powell's 10:00 am ET address, which comes amid unprecedented political pressure from former President TRUMP for rate cuts. The Fed's recent policy meeting saw two dissenting votes as officials maintained rates, though September cut expectations have risen.