| 📢 Here’s what you need to know before the markets open Monday:
U.S. stock futures slipped slightly early Monday, with Dow futures down 97 points (-0.2%), S&P 500 futures off 7 points (-0.1%), and Nasdaq 100 flat, as traders look ahead to key Fed signals this week.
Minutes from July’s FOMC meeting (rates held at 4.25%–4.5% despite two dissenting votes for a cut) are due Wednesday, followed by Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech Friday, with markets pricing a rate cut at the September meeting. Data showed U.S. jobs growth was sharply weaker in July, with prior months revised lower, while retail sales and producer prices jumped. Political risk looms as President Trump meets Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, following inconclusive Trump-Putin talks.
Meanwhile, spot gold rebounded +0.6% to $3,355.47/oz, and October futures rose +0.5% to $3,400.55/oz as traders hedge ahead of the Fed’s signals. | 
