Source: Sharecast
As of 1230 BST, Dow Jones futures were up 0.29%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 futures had the indices opening 0.20% and 0.10% firmer, respectively.
The Dow closed 152.81 points lower on Thursday as underwhelming results from economic bellwether Walmart hit sentiment, as traders exercised caution ahead of Powell's comments.
Powell will deliver his final Jackson Hole speech at 1500 BST, with market participants hoping to gain crucial clues about the Federal Reserve's next move on interest rates ahead of its September meeting. Markets have already priced in a high probability of a 25 basis point rate cut, but the Fed chair's tone will likely either reinforce or undermine those expectations.
The current mixed US economic picture of resilient output but weakening employment and uncertain price dynamics puts Powell in the unenviable position of balancing the central bank's dual mandate amid growing calls for policy recalibration.
Given political pressure from Donald Trump to accelerate rate cuts, investors were also bracing for volatility across equities, bonds, and even crypto markets. Powell's speech may also touch on the Federal Reserve's institutional independence, a topic which has come up regularly of late as political scrutiny of the central bank intensifies.
No major corporate earnings were slated for release on Friday.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
