Mixed Moves, Top Movers, Futures Outlook & Fed Rate Watch.

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Friday's Market Performance:  On Friday, US broad market indices showed mixed performance as investors tempered expectations of an imminent Federal Reserve rate cut. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) edged slightly higher but missed a record close, the S&P 500 declined by 0.3%, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.4%. The market reaction followed economic data showing higher-than-expected wholesale inflation and solid retail sales growth for July despite a decline in consumer sentiment in August. The market ended the week on a cautious note as investors weighed the likelihood of a rate cut amidst persistent inflation concerns.

Top Gainers and Losers on Friday:  On Friday, notable gainers included key tech and biotech stocks such as Sonnet BioTherapeutics, which surged roughly 28%, and Gritstone Bio, up 23%. Tesla also recorded a strong gain of about 6.2% in pre-market trading. On the losers’ side, semiconductor-related stocks faced pressure with Nvidia dropping about 2.5% due to regulatory concerns from China. Other notable decliners included Dada Nexus down 13% and Shineco down 10%, reflecting underlying market volatility.

Today’s Futures Performance (Monday, September 15, 2025):   U.S. stock futures showed modest gains heading into the start of the week. Dow Jones and S&P 500 futures rose by approximately 0.2% each, indicating cautious optimism ahead of the Federal Reserve's key meeting expected to announce interest rate decisions later this week. Nasdaq futures dipped slightly by about 0.1% amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny on big tech firms. Overall, futures reflect a market balancing hope for a quarter-point rate cut with concerns over geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

Commodities Futures Update:  Commodity futures showed mixed trends on Monday, September 15. Zinc futures hit a near six-month high, trading above $2,960 per tonne supported by a softer US dollar and supply constraints in China. However, iron ore futures eased following weak economic data from China’s industrial sector. Gold futures declined modestly, with Comex gold down 0.10% to about $3,682 per ounce. In contrast, crude oil futures gained around 0.65%, trading above $71 per barrel, reflecting ongoing inflationary concerns and supply factors.

Macro News Update:  The spotlight remains on the Federal Reserve as it faces economic uncertainty and political pressure ahead of its meeting this week where interest rates could be cut. Market participants are largely pricing in a 96% chance of a 25 basis point cut. Recent data show mixed signals: retail sales rose 0.5% for July, but consumer sentiment declined in August. Inflation remains a primary concern, and the Fed’s decision will be pivotal for market direction. Additionally, geopolitical tensions and regulatory issues, especially relating to China-U.S. tech relations, add to the cautious market backdrop.

After initially moving in opposite directions earlier in the session, major U.S. stocks continued to exhibit a mixed performance throughout Friday’s trading day. The S&P 500 declined by 3.20 points, or 0.05%, finishing at 6,584.28. From a technical perspective, the index maintained support at crucial levels and continued to rise steadily, suggesting the possibility of further gains in the near future. Additionally, the 14-day RSI is trending upward, reinforcing a positive outlook. Key support levels are around 6,495, with resistance expected near 6,666.