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As of August 26, according to CME's 'FedWatch': The probability of the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates unchanged in September is 60.4%, while the probability of a cumulative rate hike of 25 basis points is 39.6%. The probability of the Fed maintaining rates in October is 45.7%, with a cumulative rate hike of 25 basis points at 44.7% and a cumulative hike of 50 basis points at 9.7%.

As of August 26, according to CME's 'FedWatch': The probability of the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates unchanged in September is 60.4%, while the probability of a cumulative increase of 25 basis points is 39.6%. The probability of the Fed maintaining rates unchanged in October is 45.7%, with a cumulative increase of 25 basis points at 44.7% and a cumulative increase of 50 basis points at 9.7%.

On August 26, Barclays' strategy team stated that the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is provoking backlash among bipartisan voters in the U.S., which could pose political risks to currently popular AI transactions. Barclays noted, 'The construction of data centers is transforming AI from an abstract technological narrative into a concrete issue of living costs.' Even voters with limited exposure to AI will be affected by rising electricity bills, water resource pressures, and the construction of industrial facilities in their communities. Evercore ISI and BCA Research also warned that the surge in energy-intensive data center construction is becoming a sensitive topic ahead of the midterm elections, with voters increasingly dissatisfied with rising electricity costs. Barclays believes that regardless of the midterm election outcomes, AI transactions lack new catalysts for growth and cautions investors not to assume that 'the rapid growth of AI applications can coexist long-term with a loose political environment.' The bank's AI data center index includes over 40 companies, such as AMD, Arista Networks, and Microsoft, and related stocks may face policy pressures.