Wednesday Morning Reads

No rate hikes until 2024?

Get ready for another Fed-filled session following the recent symposium in Jackson Hole and the first meeting since Chairman Jerome Powell announced a greater tolerance for inflation. While the central bank is expected to keep rates on hold, the "dot plot" is likely to show interest rates will stay close to zero through the end of 2023. The Fed may also note an improved economy, but not celebrate it, and markets are hoping for a more accommodative stance. Bigger questions will touch on the scale and composition of its bond buying, and the Fed's long-term plan with its $7T balance sheet.

On the way back up

U.S. stock futures are continuing their march higher, now ahead by 0.5%, on the back of broad market gains and solid economic data. August retail sales data will be released at 8:30 a.m., while investors will eye the Fed's latest policy meeting this afternoon. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has signaled the chamber should postpone the planned October recess until lawmakers can strike a bipartisan agreement on a new coronavirus relief bill, though it's unclear how Congress will be able to break the impasse. Oil is also on the rise again as Hurricane Sally disrupted more than 25% of U.S. offshore oil and gas output and the API showed a big drop in U.S. crude stockpiles.

Taking action against Facebook

Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) may be in for a rough session after Kim Kardashian West, as well as a group of other celebrities, said they would participate in the Stop Hate For Profit movement and "freeze" their Instagram activity for 24 hours. "I can't sit by and stay silent while these platforms continue to allow the spreading of hate, propaganda and misinformation," she wrote, encouraging her 188M followers to do the same. Reports also suggest the FTC would challenge Facebook's dominant position in social media by filing a possible antitrust lawsuit by the end of the year. FB -1.3% premarket.

'Time Flies'

Instead of an iPhone 12, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) yesterday unveiled its latest watch models (some versions don't need to be paired to a phone) and a refreshed line of mid-range and low-cost iPads. It also talked software at the "Time Flies" event, with iOS 14 now set to be released on Sept. 16. One of the biggest announcements was the long-awaited services bundle. Called Apple One, customers will be able to access iCloud, Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, News+, and Fitness+ for $15/month for individuals or $20/month for families.

No laws were broken

While several governance problems stemmed from Eastman Kodak's (NYSE:KODK) July announcement of a planned $765M loan from the U.S. government, a special committee hired by the board said none of those issues violated the law. The stock soared before, and after, the announcement - which vaulted the one-time photography giant into drug manufacturing - but quickly turned into a roller coaster ride as shares fell precipitously. Kodak seems to be getting back to its old ways on the news, with the stock up 41% premarket to $8.80/share.

Congressional report blasts Boeing and FAA

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has released a 238-page filing, in the works for about 18 months, that paints a Boeing (NYSE:BA) that prioritized profits over safety. Numerous design, management and regulatory failures during the development phase of the 737 MAX had preceded the "preventable death" of 346 people in two crashes of the popular jetliner, as well as an FAA that was unable to ensure passenger safety. The report comes as regulators are in the final stretch of recertifying the 737 MAX, which has been grounded worldwide since March 2019. Boeing has also been hit with the coronavirus pandemic that has roiled air travel demand and recently discovered flaws on some 787 Dreamliners.

WTO says tariffs violated trade rules

The U.S. violated international regulation when it imposed tariffs on Chinese goods in 2018, the World Trade Organization said in a ruling that is likely to go nowhere. The U.S. is likely to appeal, which would put the case into a legal void since Washington has already blocked the appointment of judges to the WTO's appellate body. Any decision would also be the start of a legal process that could take years to play out, and if upheld, would ultimately lead to the WTO approving retaliatory measures by China (a move it has already taken on its own).
Go Deeper: Trump removes 10% tariffs on imports of aluminum from Canada.

What else is happening...

TikTok (BDNCE) plans standalone global company with Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) as minority holder.

Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC) to sell part of cheese business for $3.2B.

Abe era ends as Yoshihide Suga becomes Japan's prime minister.

DOJ joins SEC in probing Nikola (NASDAQ:NKLA) fraud claims.

Volkswagen (OTCPK:VWAGY) wraps up compliance monitoring in emissions scandal.

Adjusting to pandemic, Kohl's (NYSE:KSS) cuts corporate workforce by 15%.