Stock Futures Rise Slightly After Fed Decision: Get Live Updates Here!

Stock futures ticked up a bit on Wednesday as investors reacted to the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures each rose by 0.2%. Futures for the Dow Jones gained about 50 points, marking a 0.1% increase.

In after-hours trading, Cracker Barrel saw its shares drop sharply after reporting fourth-quarter earnings that were below Wall Street’s expectations. The restaurant chain is now focusing on improving the “guest experience” following some controversy over its rebranding.

On Wednesday, trading was particularly volatile. The Fed cut its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point, as many had predicted. The Dow was the only major index to close positively, gaining 260.42 points or 0.57%. In contrast, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite dipped slightly, with declines of 0.1% and 0.33%, respectively.

After the rate cut, Fed Chair Jerome Powell managed expectations, indicating that this move was more about “risk management” rather than entering a long-term trend of rate cuts. He noted that while two more cuts might happen this year, the outlook for 2026 has only one predicted reduction. Investors had hoped for more aggressive cuts.

Gina Bolvin, president of Bolvin Wealth Management Group, explained, “The Fed’s 25 basis point cut shows that a slowing labor market and persistent inflation are pushing them to act—but cautiously. This is not a major shift.”

Despite the slight losses, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are positioned for gains this week, with increases of 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively. This could mark the S&P’s sixth positive week out of seven. The Dow also appears to be strengthening, indicating a potential second consecutive week of gains.

Historically, the Fed’s decisions have major implications on the stock market. In past downturns, swift action from the Fed has sometimes sparked market recoveries. For instance, after the 2008 financial crisis, aggressive rate cuts helped stabilize the economy.

In today’s climate, many are closely watching inflation rates and job data. They will significantly shape the Fed’s next moves. As of now, the market seems to react cautiously, balancing optimism and uncertainty.



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