{"id":50017,"date":"2025-06-18T14:11:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T18:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-markets-rise-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-tensions\/50017\/"},"modified":"2025-06-18T14:11:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T18:11:49","slug":"stock-market-today-markets-rise-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-tensions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/stock-market-today-markets-rise-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-tensions\/50017\/","title":{"rendered":"Stock Market Today: Markets Rise as Fed Holds Rates Steady Amid Middle East Tensions"},"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-markets-rise-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-tensions\/50017\/#Market_Overview\" >Market Overview<\/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-markets-rise-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-tensions\/50017\/#Federal_Reserve_Decision\" >Federal Reserve Decision<\/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-markets-rise-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-tensions\/50017\/#Geopolitical_Tensions\" >Geopolitical Tensions<\/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-markets-rise-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-tensions\/50017\/#Economic_Data\" >Economic Data<\/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-markets-rise-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-tensions\/50017\/#Notable_Stock_Movers\" >Notable Stock Movers<\/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-markets-rise-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-tensions\/50017\/#Earnings_Watch\" >Earnings 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-markets-rise-as-fed-holds-rates-steady-amid-middle-east-tensions\/50017\/#Looking_Ahead\" >Looking Ahead<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Overview\"><\/span>Market Overview<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <b><a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/live\/stock-market-today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"6\" title=\"Stock Market Today\">stock market today<\/a><\/b> showed resilience as major indexes climbed higher on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The <b><a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/sp500\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"snp500 today\">S&#038;P 500<\/a><\/b> gained 0.5% to close at 6,010.41, while the <b>Nasdaq Composite<\/b> advanced 0.6% to 19,637.94. The <b><a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/dowjones\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Dow Jones Today\">Dow Jones<\/a> Industrial Average<\/b> rose 0.6%, adding 258 points to finish at 42,403.03.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Investors navigated a complex landscape of factors including the Federal Reserve&#8217;s latest interest rate decision, escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, and disappointing housing data. Despite these challenges, the <b>markets today<\/b> maintained positive momentum throughout the session.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Federal_Reserve_Decision\"><\/span>Federal Reserve Decision<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As widely expected, the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at their target range of 4.25% to 4.5% following the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting. The central bank signaled it still anticipates two rate cuts before the end of 2025, though policymakers have revised their inflation outlook higher and lowered GDP growth expectations.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The market&#8217;s positive reaction suggests investors are relieved that the Fed maintained its projection for two cuts this year despite recent inflation concerns,&#8221; said market analysts watching the <b>stock market live<\/b> developments.<\/p>\n<p>Fed Chair Jerome Powell&#8217;s press conference drew additional attention after President Donald Trump criticized him earlier in the day, calling him &#8220;stupid&#8221; and questioning whether the central bank would cut rates. Trump specifically noted that &#8220;Europe had 10 cuts, and we had none,&#8221; expressing frustration over the Fed&#8217;s monetary policy stance.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_3__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Geopolitical_Tensions\"><\/span>Geopolitical Tensions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <b>market news today<\/b> was heavily influenced by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which entered its sixth day. Iran&#8217;s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that the U.S. would face &#8220;irreparable damage&#8221; if it entered the conflict, while President Trump called for Iran&#8217;s &#8220;unconditional surrender&#8221; on his Truth Social platform.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Despite these tensions, markets showed remarkable resilience. &#8220;The market just seems very keen to fade geopolitical risk,&#8221; Zachary Hill, head of portfolio management at Horizon Investments, told CNBC. &#8220;That has been historically the right thing to do, so I think that&#8217;s kind of what&#8217;s driving us so far today.&#8221;<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Economic_Data\"><\/span>Economic Data<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>New housing construction hit its lowest level in five years, according to data released Wednesday by the Commerce Department. Housing starts ran at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.256 million for May, down 9.8% from April and significantly below economists&#8217; expectations of 1.35 million. Building permits also declined more than anticipated, totaling 1.393 million, a 2% drop from the prior month.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>On a positive note, initial unemployment claims for the week ending June 14 totaled 245,000, slightly better than the expected 246,000 and down 5,000 from the previous week.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__1\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Notable_Stock_Movers\"><\/span>Notable Stock Movers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Several stocks made significant moves in today&#8217;s session. Among the <a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/movers\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Top Stocks\">top gainers<\/a> on the Nasdaq, <b>Gilead Sciences (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=GILD\">GILD<\/a>)<\/b> rose 2.93% to $111.23, while <b>Intel (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=INTC\">INTC<\/a>)<\/b> gained 2.45% to $21.31. <b>Tesla (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=TSLA\">TSLA<\/a>)<\/b> climbed 1.93% to $322.79, continuing its recent momentum.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>On the downside, <b>PayPal (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=PYPL\">PYPL<\/a>)<\/b> was among the biggest losers on the Nasdaq, falling 3.14% to $68.45. Chinese e-commerce giants <b>JD.com (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=JD\">JD<\/a>)<\/b> and <b>Alibaba (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=BABA\">BABA<\/a>)<\/b> also struggled, dropping 2.20% and 1.53% respectively.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>In the Dow Jones, financial stocks performed well with <b>Goldman Sachs (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=GS\">GS<\/a>)<\/b> rising 2.17% to $637.72 and <b>JPMorgan Chase (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=JPM\">JPM<\/a>)<\/b> gaining 2.15% to $275.10. However, <b>Visa (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=V\">V<\/a>)<\/b> was the index&#8217;s biggest laggard, falling 3.17% to $346.54.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Earnings_Watch\"><\/span>Earnings Watch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Several companies reported earnings today, including <b>Korn Ferry (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=KFY\">KFY<\/a>)<\/b>, <b>GMS Inc. (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=GMS\">GMS<\/a>)<\/b>, and <b>Aurora Cannabis (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=ACB\">ACB<\/a>)<\/b> before the market opened. After the closing bell, <b>Smith &#038; Wesson Brands (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=SWBI\">SWBI<\/a>)<\/b> and <b>Gorilla Technology Group (<a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/stock\/?stock=GRRR\">GRRR<\/a>)<\/b> are scheduled to release their quarterly results.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__1\"><\/cscitation><cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>Analysts were particularly focused on Korn Ferry, with consensus expectations for earnings per share of $1.25, representing a slight decrease of 0.79% compared to the same quarter last year.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_2__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Looking_Ahead\"><\/span>Looking Ahead<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As the <b>markets today<\/b> close on a positive note, investors will be closely monitoring several key factors in the coming days. The ongoing Middle East conflict remains a significant concern, particularly regarding potential impacts on global oil prices and supply chains.<\/p>\n<p>Market participants will also be digesting the implications of the Fed&#8217;s latest projections and watching for any signals about the timing of potential rate cuts later this year. With the CBOE Volatility Index down 0.93% to 20.67 points today, the market appears to be maintaining relative calm despite the various uncertainties.<cscitation citation_id=\"task_1__2\"><\/cscitation><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;While today&#8217;s market performance was encouraging, investors should remain vigilant about geopolitical developments and upcoming economic data releases,&#8221; noted market strategists following the <b>stock market today<\/b>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Market Overview The stock market today showed resilience as major indexes climbed higher on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, despite ongoing 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