Bloomberg Surveillance · Monday, August 31, 2026
Sarah Hunt anticipates market volatility as the Fed moves away from forward guidance, comparing market participants' search for information to historical indicators like the 'briefcase indicator.' She believes that if the upcoming data is benign, the Fed might wait, but acknowledges internal differing opinions on the committee. Hunt also notes that strong earnings are currently supporting the market despite other concerns like oil prices.
“And I think that, you know, there was some concern post the first two that there was not an attack on inflation. And I think that he is trying very hard to make that case. Adding a couple more variables makes it possible, I think, to say, you know, let's see what happens with the data that's coming right now.”
“Absent the earnings growth and absent the fact that that's been fantastic, I think you would have much more trouble digesting all of the other things that are going on, including what's going on right now with oil prices.”