S&P 500 Futures Steady as Investors Digest Fed Rate Hold and Tech Earnings

S&P 500 futures held steady Wednesday evening as investors weighed a mix of Federal Reserve signals and earnings reports from major tech companies. While the broad market showed minimal movement, traders were closely watching developments from Wall Street’s biggest players and the Fed’s latest interest rate decision.

Futures tied to the S&P 500 rose slightly by 0.1%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dipped 55 points, or 0.1%. Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.3%, reflecting cautious optimism in the tech sector. Meanwhile, spot gold surged past $5,500 in overnight trading, gaining nearly 3% as investors sought refuge amid a weaker U.S. dollar.

In post-market trading, Meta Platforms shares jumped 7% after reporting stronger-than-expected first-quarter sales guidance. Tesla saw a modest 1% rise after beating fourth-quarter forecasts, while Microsoft shares fell 6% due to slower cloud growth and cautious future margin guidance. During the regular session, the S&P 500 briefly topped 7,000 but ultimately closed largely unchanged, with the Dow adding just 12 points and the Nasdaq rising 0.2%.

The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate at 3.5%–3.75%, citing steady economic growth and signs of stabilizing unemployment. Fed officials signaled a cautious approach toward future adjustments, though futures markets still anticipate two quarter-point cuts by the end of 2026. Experts say markets typically respond to surprises, so earnings reports and economic data are expected to shape the next moves.

Looking ahead, investors are preparing for Apple’s fiscal first-quarter earnings report Thursday after the bell. Other companies, including Mastercard, Caterpillar, and Lockheed Martin, are also scheduled to release results. Traders will also monitor key economic indicators such as weekly jobless claims, durable goods orders, and wholesale inventories for signs of underlying market trends.

source: cnbc