{"id":48583,"date":"2024-12-18T12:28:30","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T12:28:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-investors-eye-fed-decision-as-markets-slide\/48583\/"},"modified":"2024-12-18T12:28:30","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T12:28:30","slug":"stock-market-today-investors-eye-fed-decision-as-markets-slide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-investors-eye-fed-decision-as-markets-slide\/48583\/","title":{"rendered":"Stock Market Today: Investors Eye Fed Decision as Markets Slide"},"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-investors-eye-fed-decision-as-markets-slide\/48583\/#Market_Overview_Why_Is_the_Market_Down_Today\" >Market Overview: Why Is the Market Down Today?<\/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-investors-eye-fed-decision-as-markets-slide\/48583\/#Current_Performance_of_Major_Market_Indexes\" >Current Performance of Major Market Indexes<\/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-investors-eye-fed-decision-as-markets-slide\/48583\/#Upcoming_Market_Events_All_Eyes_on_the_Federal_Reserve\" >Upcoming Market Events: All Eyes on the Federal Reserve<\/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-investors-eye-fed-decision-as-markets-slide\/48583\/#Major_Stock_News_and_Market_Movers\" >Major Stock News and Market Movers<\/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-investors-eye-fed-decision-as-markets-slide\/48583\/#Market_Breadth_and_Sector_Performance\" >Market Breadth and Sector Performance<\/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-investors-eye-fed-decision-as-markets-slide\/48583\/#Looking_Ahead_Whats_Next_for_the_Stock_Market\" >Looking Ahead: What&#8217;s Next for the Stock Market?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Overview_Why_Is_the_Market_Down_Today\"><\/span>Market Overview: Why Is the Market Down Today?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As of Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the stock market is experiencing a downturn, with major indexes sliding as investors anxiously await the Federal Reserve&#8217;s interest rate decision. The <b><a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/dowjones\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Dow Jones Today\">Dow Jones<\/a> Industrial Average<\/b> has extended its losing streak to nine consecutive days, marking its longest decline since 1978 . This recent pullback comes after a robust post-election rally that saw stocks hitting record highs.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Current_Performance_of_Major_Market_Indexes\"><\/span>Current Performance of Major Market Indexes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&#8211; <b><a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/sp500\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"snp500 today\">S&#038;P 500<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=SPX\">SPX<\/a>)<\/b>: Down 0.4% to 6,050.61<br \/>&#8211; <b>Nasdaq Composite (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=COMP\">COMP<\/a>)<\/b>: Fell 0.3% to 20,109.06<br \/>&#8211; <b>Dow Jones Industrial Average (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=DJIA\">DJIA<\/a>)<\/b>: Dropped 0.6% to 43,449.90 <\/p>\n<p>Despite the recent dip, it&#8217;s worth noting that the S&#038;P 500 has surged an impressive 27% in 2024, potentially setting up for one of its best performances this century .<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Upcoming_Market_Events_All_Eyes_on_the_Federal_Reserve\"><\/span>Upcoming Market Events: All Eyes on the Federal Reserve<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most significant event impacting the <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/live\/stock-market-today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"6\" title=\"Stock Market Today\">market today<\/a> is the <b>Federal Reserve&#8217;s two-day policy meeting<\/b>, which began on December 17. Investors are eagerly anticipating the Fed&#8217;s decision on interest rates, expected to be announced at 11:00 AM ET on December 18 .<\/p>\n<p>Key points to watch:<\/p>\n<p>1. <b>Interest Rate Decision<\/b>: The market widely expects the Fed to cut its benchmark interest rate, following cuts in September and November.<\/p>\n<p>2. <b>Economic Projections<\/b>: The Fed will release updated long-term economic projections, providing crucial insights into their outlook for 2025.<\/p>\n<p>3. <b>Rate Cut Expectations<\/b>: The futures market is currently pricing in three quarter-point cuts by December 2025, with some analysts predicting even more aggressive cuts .<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Stock_News_and_Market_Movers\"><\/span>Major Stock News and Market Movers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>1. <b>Tesla (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=TSLA\">TSLA<\/a>)<\/b>: Shares are up 4% amid optimism about the company&#8217;s prospects under a potential Trump administration, given CEO Elon Musk&#8217;s relationship with the president-elect .<\/p>\n<p>2. <b>Nvidia (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=NVDA\">NVDA<\/a>)<\/b>: The AI investor favorite has slipped into correction territory, down 3% in early trading .<\/p>\n<p>3. <b>Broadcom (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=AVGO\">AVGO<\/a>)<\/b>: The chipmaker&#8217;s stock fell 5%, giving back some of its recent gains following strong earnings .<\/p>\n<p>4. <b>UnitedHealth Group (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=UNH\">UNH<\/a>)<\/b>: Has been a significant drag on the Dow, contributing about 750 points to its recent 1,564-point drop .<\/p>\n<p>5. <b>Other notable movers<\/b>: Amazon (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=AMZN\">AMZN<\/a>) is losing ground, while Apple (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=AAPL\">AAPL<\/a>), Microsoft (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=MSFT\">MSFT<\/a>), Alphabet (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=GOOGL\">GOOGL<\/a>), and Meta Platforms (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=META\">META<\/a>) are showing gains .<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Breadth_and_Sector_Performance\"><\/span>Market Breadth and Sector Performance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The recent market performance has been characterized by narrowing breadth:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; For 12 consecutive days, declining stocks in the S&#038;P 500 have outnumbered gainers, the longest streak on record since at least 1999 .<br \/>&#8211; Only 40.6% of S&#038;P 500 stocks are trading above their 50-day moving averages, the lowest reading since May .<br \/>&#8211; Financials in the S&#038;P 500 are down 4.4% since the start of December, with utilities and energy sectors performing even worse .<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Looking_Ahead_Whats_Next_for_the_Stock_Market\"><\/span>Looking Ahead: What&#8217;s Next for the Stock Market?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As investors digest the Fed&#8217;s decision and economic projections, market volatility may persist. Key factors to watch include:<\/p>\n<p>1. <b>Inflation trends<\/b>: Recent data shows inflation reaccelerating, which could impact the Fed&#8217;s rate cut plans.<br \/>2. <b>Economic growth<\/b>: The economy has shown stronger-than-expected performance, with GDP increasing 2.8% in the third quarter .<br \/>3. <b>Labor market conditions<\/b>: Unemployment remains lower than previously forecast, potentially influencing the Fed&#8217;s decisions.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, while the stock market is currently experiencing some turbulence, the overall performance in 2024 has been strong. Investors should stay tuned to the Federal Reserve&#8217;s announcements and continue monitoring key economic indicators for insights into future market trends.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Market Overview: Why Is the Market Down Today? As of Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the stock market is experiencing a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50312,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"rank_math_schema_Article":[],"rank_math_focus_keyword":[],"rank_math_description":[],"financial_data_references":[],"stock_symbols_mentioned":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[94],"tags":[3741,4,3768,33,3843,225,373,391,633,1877,2919,3280],"class_list":["post-48583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-market-update","tag-meta","tag-tsla","tag-googl","tag-msft","tag-comp","tag-aapl","tag-unh","tag-amzn","tag-nvda","tag-spx","tag-avgo","tag-djia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48583"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48583\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}