{"id":48582,"date":"2024-12-18T12:01:36","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T12:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-all-eyes-on-fed-as-sp-500-nears-record-high\/48582\/"},"modified":"2024-12-18T12:01:36","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T12:01:36","slug":"stock-market-today-all-eyes-on-fed-as-sp-500-nears-record-high","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-all-eyes-on-fed-as-sp-500-nears-record-high\/48582\/","title":{"rendered":"Stock Market Today: All Eyes on Fed as S&#038;P 500 Nears Record High"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-all-eyes-on-fed-as-sp-500-nears-record-high\/48582\/#Market_Snapshot_Indexes_Poised_for_Gains_Ahead_of_Fed_Decision\" >Market Snapshot: Indexes Poised for Gains Ahead of Fed Decision<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-all-eyes-on-fed-as-sp-500-nears-record-high\/48582\/#Fed_Decision_The_Main_Event\" >Fed Decision: The Main Event<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-all-eyes-on-fed-as-sp-500-nears-record-high\/48582\/#Major_Stock_Movers_and_News\" >Major Stock Movers and News<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-all-eyes-on-fed-as-sp-500-nears-record-high\/48582\/#Upcoming_Market_Events\" >Upcoming Market Events<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-all-eyes-on-fed-as-sp-500-nears-record-high\/48582\/#Market_Outlook_for_2025\" >Market Outlook for 2025<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-all-eyes-on-fed-as-sp-500-nears-record-high\/48582\/#Key_Factors_to_Watch\" >Key Factors to Watch<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-all-eyes-on-fed-as-sp-500-nears-record-high\/48582\/#Conclusion_A_Pivotal_Moment_for_Markets\" >Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Markets<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Snapshot_Indexes_Poised_for_Gains_Ahead_of_Fed_Decision\"><\/span>Market Snapshot: Indexes Poised for Gains Ahead of Fed Decision<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The stock market is set for a potentially pivotal day on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, as investors eagerly await the Federal Reserve&#8217;s final policy decision of the year. The <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/sp500\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"snp500 today\">S&#038;P 500<\/a> (^GSPC) has surged 27% in 2024, putting the index on track for one of its best performances of the 21st century and nearing record highs.<\/p>\n<p>As of the market open, futures indicate a positive start:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; S&#038;P 500 Futures: Up 0.26%<br \/>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/dowjones\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Dow Jones Today\">Dow Jones<\/a> Industrial Average Futures: Up 0.28%<br \/>&#8211; Nasdaq Composite Futures: Up 0.13%<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fed_Decision_The_Main_Event\"><\/span>Fed Decision: The Main Event<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The Federal Reserve&#8217;s announcement at 11:00 AM ET is the day&#8217;s most anticipated event<\/b>. While no change to the current interest rate is expected, investors will be closely analyzing the Fed&#8217;s updated economic projections for 2025.<\/p>\n<p>The futures market is currently pricing in three quarter-point rate cuts by December 2025. However, some Wall Street analysts are even more optimistic:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Goldman Sachs (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=GS\">GS<\/a>) expects three quarter-point cuts by March 2025<br \/>&#8211; JPMorgan Chase (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=JPM\">JPM<\/a>) anticipates five quarter-point cuts by December 2025<\/p>\n<p>These projections may prove optimistic, given recent inflation data. If the Fed&#8217;s outlook shows fewer rate cuts than investors expect, it could lead to market volatility.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Stock_Movers_and_News\"><\/span>Major Stock Movers and News<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Several stocks are making significant moves in early trading:<\/p>\n<p>1. Nvidia (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=NVDA\">NVDA<\/a>): Down 1.22%, continuing its recent correction despite leading the AI revolution with its Blackwell chip.<br \/>2. Tesla (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=TSLA\">TSLA<\/a>): Up 3.64%, extending its post-election rally on optimism about CEO Elon Musk&#8217;s relationship with the incoming administration.<br \/>3. Rigetti Computing (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=RGTI\">RGTI<\/a>): Surging 32.03%, leading the day&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/movers\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Top Stocks\">top gainers<\/a>.<br \/>4. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=TEVA\">TEVA<\/a>): Up 26.47% on positive news.<br \/>5. Pfizer (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=PFE\">PFE<\/a>): Gaining 4.67%, showing signs of recovery.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Upcoming_Market_Events\"><\/span>Upcoming Market Events<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Beyond the Fed decision, investors should keep an eye on these upcoming events:<\/p>\n<p>1. MBA 30-Year Mortgage Rate (December 18, 7:00 AM EST)<br \/>2. Mortgage Market Index (December 18, 7:00 AM EST)<br \/>3. Several company earnings reports scheduled throughout the week<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Outlook_for_2025\"><\/span>Market Outlook for 2025<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Despite potential short-term volatility, the outlook for the Indian stock market in 2025 remains positive. ITI Mutual Fund suggests the market will stay buoyant, highlighting five sectors and themes for investors to consider.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Factors_to_Watch\"><\/span>Key Factors to Watch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As we move towards 2025, investors should keep a close eye on:<\/p>\n<p>1. Inflation trends and their impact on Fed policy<br \/>2. Corporate earnings, especially in the technology sector<br \/>3. Global economic indicators and geopolitical developments<br \/>4. The continued evolution of AI and its impact on various industries<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion_A_Pivotal_Moment_for_Markets\"><\/span>Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Markets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Today&#8217;s Federal Reserve decision and economic projections could set the tone for market performance heading into 2025. While the S&#038;P 500&#8217;s impressive 2024 gains have been driven by rate cut expectations, any deviation from these expectations could lead to significant market movements.<\/p>\n<p>Investors should remain vigilant and diversified, considering both the opportunities and risks present in this dynamic market environment. As always, it&#8217;s crucial to align investment strategies with individual financial goals and risk tolerance.<\/p>\n<p><b>Stay tuned for updates as this pivotal trading day unfolds, potentially shaping the market&#8217;s direction for months to come.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Market Snapshot: Indexes Poised for Gains Ahead of Fed Decision The stock market is set for a potentially pivotal day 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