U.S. stock futures showed modest gains early Monday as investors prepared for the upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate meeting scheduled for Wednesday. At 3:11 a.m. EST on September 15, futures for the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Dow Jones Industrial Average reflected an increase of 0.14%, 0.14%, and 0.15%, respectively.
In the regular trading session on Friday, the three major indexes closed with mixed results. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones saw small declines of 0.05% and 0.59%, respectively, as investors engaged in profit-taking from several strong performers earlier in the week. Conversely, the Nasdaq 100 rallied, achieving its fourth consecutive record high with a gain of 0.44%.
Throughout last week, all three indexes finished in positive territory, driven by expectations surrounding a potential interest rate cut. The Dow increased by 0.95%, while the S&P 500 rose by 1.59%, marking its fifth positive week out of six. The Nasdaq 100 saw an impressive 1.86% increase, marking its second consecutive week of gains.
Looking ahead, the focus this week will be on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, where the Fed is expected to announce its interest rate decision. Recent indicators of a slowing job market and easing inflation have elevated expectations for a rate cut, with experts citing a 96% probability of a 25-basis-point reduction.
No major economic reports are on the agenda for today. Although the earnings season is winding down, several notable companies—including General Mills, FedEx, Lennar, and Darden Restaurants—are set to report their results this week.
In the broader financial landscape, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose slightly, hovering near 4.07%. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures were also on the rise, nearing $62.98 per barrel. Meanwhile, the Gold Spot price in the U.S. dollar decreased to approximately $3,681 per ounce.
In global markets, European stocks opened higher on September 15, as investors braced for a week filled with significant policy meetings and interest rate decisions from both the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of England.
Asian markets exhibited mixed trading results on Monday, influenced by a recent high-profile meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials in Spain. The discussions centered on key national security, economic, and trade issues, including the potential extension of the U.S. ban on the Chinese video-sharing app TikTok. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong increased by 0.24%, while the Shanghai Composite experienced a slight drop of 0.26%. The Shenzhen Component managed a small gain of 0.09%. Notably, Japan’s markets remained closed in observance of “Respect for the Aged Day.”
As the week unfolds, investors are advised to stay vigilant regarding macroeconomic events and developments that may impact market conditions.
