The markets are setting up for a pivotal week — and if you’re trading forex, equities, or commodities, now’s the time to get your strategy dialed in.
With the U.S. dollar wobbling, gold climbing, and data releases stacked throughout the week, this is no time to be improvising. As always, a solid plan beats trying to outsmart the market.
The Week That Was: Inflation, Tariffs, and Resilient Equities
Last week, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index came in at 2.9%, matching expectations but still well above the Fed’s 2% target. The Fed remains stuck between a rock and a hard place — cut rates too early and risk inflation, or hold too long and stall the economy.
Meanwhile, reports broke suggesting that Trump’s proposed reciprocal tariffs could be illegal, adding yet another layer of pressure on the dollar.
Despite all this, equity markets kept marching. The S&P 500 rose nearly 2% in August, marking a fourth straight month of gains. Gold also had a strong week, jumping 2.7%, thanks to dollar softness.
This Week: Non-Farm Payrolls Could Be the Game-Changer
The main event? Friday’s Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP).
Markets are expecting just 74,000 new jobs, but after last month’s massive downward revisions — which led to the resignation of the labor statistics chief — every number will be under the microscope.
Also on the radar:
- Average hourly earnings are forecast at +0.3%
- JOLTS job openings report midweek will give early clues about labor demand
- The market is currently pricing in an 88% chance of a 25bps Fed rate cut at the September 17 meeting. A few outliers are calling for 50bps, but those voices are being largely ignored.
Global Macro Watch: CAD, CHF, and GBP in Focus
Beyond the U.S., here’s what forex traders should keep an eye on:
- Canada: Unemployment is expected to tick up to 7.0% on Friday, which could fuel calls for a Bank of Canada rate cut. Watch for USD/CAD volatility.
- Switzerland: Thursday’s CPI report (expected at 0.0%) could be critical. With already negative rates, a soft print could stoke expectations of further cuts, weakening the CHF.
- United Kingdom: The British pound remains one of the strongest G8 currencies, supported by firm economic data and reduced odds of a BoE rate cut. Expect GBP strength to influence USD/GBP and EUR/GBP pairs.
What It Means for Traders
This is one of those weeks where news flow can trigger explosive moves — not because of surprises, but because markets are on edge.
Yes, a Fed rate cut looks almost certain. But the real question is: how much of it is already priced in?
Trading isn’t about reacting to every headline. It’s about:
- Executing your plan consistently
- Managing risk with discipline
- Letting your edge compound over time
If you’re aiming for 3–4% monthly returns on a serious account, you’re already outperforming most. Remember: small, consistent wins on a large account beat big wins on a small one every time.
Prop Trading Opportunity: Get 25% Extra This Week
If you’ve been thinking about taking a prop account with FTP, now’s the perfect time.
👉 For this week only, we’re offering a 25% account size boost.
Buy a $100K account — we’ll bump it to $125K.
That means a 4% monthly return could generate $5,000 in extra monthly simulated profit once you pass the evaluation. Not bad at all.
Live NFP Stream + Free Prop Assessment Giveaway
Join me live this Friday for the NFP release, where I’ll be breaking down the numbers in real time — plus hosting a fun trivia quiz where you can win a free prop assessment account.
Want to Trade Like a Pro? Learn with PropIQ
If you’re serious about turning market insights into consistent profits, PropIQ is where you need to be. Inside, I teach:
- Proven trading strategies
- Real-world risk management
- How to trade news without chasing headlines
Because headlines fade, but trading skills — and a winning strategy — pay off for years.
Disclaimer: This market commentary is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It reflects the opinions of the author at the time of writing and should not be taken as financial or investment advice.
Funded Trading Plus operates evaluation and simulated funded programs, not live trading accounts. All references to trading, strategies, or market opportunities relate to simulated trading environments. Past market performance or individual trader results are not indicative of future outcomes.
Trading carries significant risk of loss. You should carefully consider your own circumstances and risk tolerance before engaging in any form of trading activity. Nothing in this publication constitutes an offer to participate in regulated financial markets.