U.S. economic data releases on Thursday will include initial jobless claims, natural gas storage figures and retail inventories, with markets also focused on the Jackson Hole Symposium. Initial jobless claims, due at 7:30 a.m. ET, are forecast to rise to 208,000 from 206,000 in the prior week, according to market expectations.
The weekly report follows a four-week moving average of 204,000 claims, which has hovered near multi-decade lows in recent months. Continuing jobless claims are projected at 1.79 million, down from 1.799 million previously. The goods trade balance is expected to show a deficit of $100.80 billion, an improvement from the prior deficit of $101.41 billion.
Natural gas storage data, released at 9:30 a.m. ET, is anticipated to show a build of 19 billion cubic feet, following a 16 billion cubic feet increase in the prior week. Wholesale inventories are forecast to rise 0.2%, matching the prior month’s gain. Retail inventories excluding autos are expected to contract by 0.4% after the prior month’s decline.
The Jackson Hole Symposium, convening in Wyoming, will draw central bankers and policymakers, with remarks from Federal Reserve officials closely monitored. Additional data includes the Kansas City Fed’s manufacturing index at 10:00 a.m. ET, with the composite index for the Tenth District at 9 in the prior reading. Treasury auctions for two-year notes and bills are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. ET, respectively, alongside updates to the Fed’s balance sheet and reserve balances.
