Stock Market Today: Indexes Rise as Fed Decision Looms
The stock market showed resilience on Thursday, March 20, 2025, as investors eagerly awaited the Federal Reserve’s latest policy announcement. Major indexes continued their upward trajectory, building on the previous day’s gains amid a backdrop of economic uncertainty and ongoing trade tensions.
Market Performance
As of the latest trading session:
– The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.95% to 41,977.42 points
– The S&P 500 rose 1.04% to 5,672.71 points
– The Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.41% to 17,750.79 points
These gains reflect a cautious optimism in the market, with investors showing resilience despite recent volatility. The CBOE Volatility Index, often referred to as the “fear gauge,” decreased by 1.80% to 19.90, indicating a slight easing of market anxiety
Sector Performance
The market’s performance was not uniform across all sectors. Notable sector movements include:
1. Real Estate: Leading the pack with a 7.63% gain
2. Consumer Discretionary: Up 2.37%
3. Energy: Rising 1.78%
4. Consumer Staples: Underperforming with a 0.59% decline
Key Stock Movements
Several individual stocks made significant moves:
– Boeing (BA): Surged 6.84% to $172.68, leading the Dow Jones gainers
– American Express (AXP): Rose 2.97% to $270.55
– Intel (INTC): Fell 7.13% to $24.11, the biggest loser on the Dow
– Nvidia (NVDA): Gained over 1% in premarket trading after unveiling new AI chips at its annual GTC conference
Upcoming Market Events
All eyes are on the Federal Reserve as it prepares to announce its latest policy decision at 2:00 PM ET today. While the Fed is expected to maintain current interest rates, investors will be closely watching for any changes to the projected number of rate cuts for the year and analyzing Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s comments on the economic outlook
Other key economic events scheduled for today include:
– Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey (March data)
– Existing home sales (February data)
– U.S. leading economic indicators (February data)
Major Stock News
1. Meta Platforms (META): The Facebook parent company’s stock has turned negative for the year, down 0.5% in 2025, following a 3.7% decline on Tuesday. This marks Meta as the last of the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks to fall into negative territory for the year
2. HealthEquity (HQY): Shares plummeted 15% following weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings
3. General Mills (GIS): The stock dropped over 3% after lowering its full-year guidance and reporting a revenue miss for the third quarter
4. Goldman Sachs (GS): Shares ticked nearly 1% lower following an Oppenheimer downgrade, citing concerns about merger and acquisition activity
Market Outlook
The stock market’s recent performance reflects a complex interplay of factors, including ongoing trade tensions, economic data, and monetary policy expectations. Scott Helfstein, Global X’s head of investment strategy, notes, “This is not time to sell and go away, but perhaps time to review long-term strategy against near-term volatility.”
As investors navigate this challenging landscape, the Federal Reserve’s decision and commentary today will likely play a crucial role in shaping market sentiment in the coming weeks. With the S&P 500 still 8.6% below its February record close and the Nasdaq in correction territory, market participants remain cautious but hopeful for positive catalysts to emerge
In conclusion, while the market shows signs of resilience, ongoing economic uncertainties and geopolitical factors continue to influence investor sentiment. As always, investors are advised to stay informed and maintain a balanced, long-term perspective in their investment strategies.
