In a typical year, Jackson Hole sparks excitement mostly among market watchers. This time, the symposium feels more pivotal.

The Federal Reserve’s annual conference, hosted by the Kansas City Fed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, began Thursday evening with a dinner for the central bankers, economists and journalists who have flown in from around the world.

Jay Powell’s speech at the Federal Reserve’s August summit in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is always a high-stakes moment. This year, the central bank’s chair takes the podium under fire — facing fierce attacks from Donald Trump and a growing insurgency within his own institution.

The stock market is heading into a catalyst-filled week as Fed Chair Jerome Powell gets ready to speak at Jackson Hole and big retailers report earnings.

By Howard Schneider WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Fed Chair Jerome Powell used the central bank's annual Wyoming research conference to promise inflation-fighting rigor when it was needed in 2022, then last year he came to the defense of the job market with promises of lower interest rates when the unemployment rate seemed on a steady rise.

One of this week's big events is Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech at the central bank's annual symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyo., on Friday, and he may turn out to be less inclined to cut interest rates than many think.

Gold edged down as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole gathering for clues on the path for US interest rates.Bullion traded around $3,340 an ounce, paring some of the gains made on Wednesday when President Donald Trump’s call for Fed Governor Lisa Cook to resign bolstered haven demand.