US Stocks Drift Ahead of Fed Rate Decision – Dow Dips 0.4%

US stock markets eased back on Tuesday as traders moved to the sidelines ahead of today's all-important Federal Reserve interest rate decision. The Dow fell 0.38% to close at 47,560, the S&P 500 dipped 0.09% to 6,840, while the Nasdaq managed a modest 0.13% rise, finishing at 23,576. A stronger-than-expected set of US employment numbers pushed Treasury yields higher across the curve, with the 2-year yield climbing 4 basis points to 3.615% and the 10-year rising 2.4 basis points to 4.188%.

The firmer yield environment helped lift the dollar; the DXY gained 0.14% on the day to settle at 99.23. In commodities, oil markets remained under pressure as renewed optimism over potential progress in Ukraine peace discussions—following meetings between Kyiv and its allies in London—saw Brent crude slip 0.70% to $62.05, while WTI dropped 0.95% to $58.32 a barrel. Gold, meanwhile, pushed back into recent ranges, rising 0.43% to $4,208.21 an ounce as traders sought a safer footing ahead of a packed macro calendar.

Fed Day at Last

Today's Federal Reserve update has probably been the most highly anticipated central bank meeting of the year, with the volatility in rate moves expectations exceeding all others in the preceding 11 months. With less than a day to go, market expectation sits just under 90% that we will see a further 25-basis-point cut later today. That is up from 70% a month ago, but more crucially up from near 30% around six weeks ago.

Most market participants are expecting to see a relatively "cautious cut" today, with a split in the committee well documented. So, a swing either side—i.e., a dovish cut or a hawkish cut—should see some big moves across all financial products. Stock markets have been trading optimistically over the last couple of weeks, indicating that they anticipate more stimulus into 2026, while the bond market has been more cautious. Either way, the possibility of strong corrections is high, and it should be a very lively market into the end of the trading day.

Huge Day Ahead for Investors

Today looks to be shaping up as one of the biggest days of the month for global markets. The Asian session sees the release of key Chinese data with CPI (exp +0.7% m/m) and PPI (exp +2.0% y/y), which should see some good moves in local markets, while the London session has a scheduled update from ECB President Christine Lagarde. However, the New York session looks set to be extremely lively.

The Federal Reserve's rate call towards the end of the day is without doubt the headline event, where a 25-basis-point rate cut is well priced in; Chairman Jerome Powell's press conference shortly after is likely to drive volatility even further. Earlier in the Northern Hemisphere session, the Bank of Canada will deliver its own interest rate decision, with the market firmly expecting them to hold rates at 2.25%. As with the Fed, traders are expecting forward guidance from the statement and subsequent press conference to add further volatility to local markets. US Crude Oil Inventory data is also due out in the session; however, expect the major central bank updates to dominate.

Source: IC Markets