Wall Street Futures Rise as Investors Brace for Fed Decision

​Futures Edge Higher
U.S. stock futures opened the week on a cautious but positive note. Dow Jones futures gained 0.2%, the S&P 500 inched up 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 slipped 0.1% as traders weighed Fed expectations against fresh pressure on Nvidia from Beijing.

Records in the Rearview
The Nasdaq notched a 2% weekly climb, hitting a new record close. The S&P 500 added 1.6%, its best performance since early August, while the Dow snapped a two-week losing streak. But Nvidia’s shares slid more than 2% after China said the AI giant violated antitrust rules.

Fed Cut Odds Near Certain
Weak job numbers and climbing prices have traders betting big on a quarter-point Fed cut this Wednesday. CME data shows odds of that move at 96%. Analysts say a cut could provide another boost for stocks, especially with AI still driving market enthusiasm — bubble talk or not.

Politics in Play
All eyes are also on whether Trump-backed economist Stephen Miran is sworn in as a Fed governor in time to vote this week. That political twist could shape the tone of Powell’s announcement.

Earnings in the Spotlight
It’s the tail end of earnings season, but big names remain. FedEx will report results, seen as a bellwether for global trade flows, while Cracker Barrel is in focus after its headline-grabbing rebrand.

Gold Marches Higher
Meanwhile, gold is creeping back toward record highs near $3,640 an ounce. Lower Treasury yields and a softer dollar are fueling demand, as traders brace for a Fed move and wonder how long the cutting cycle might last.

The Bottom Line
​Wall Street is leaning into optimism: record highs are in the books, futures are nudging higher, and a Fed cut looks like a done deal. The only questions left? How deep the cuts go — and how the market reacts if Powell doesn’t play ball.