Good morning! For Friday, Sept. 17, here are your stock market futures, top stock market news, and stocks to watch...
Stock futures today were down across the board in premarket hours as the global markets absorbed news the Federal Reserve's rate decision. Dow futures were down186 points; S&P futures slid 21 points; and Nasdaq futures lost 44.25 points.
On Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 65 points after the U.S. Federal Reserve announced that it would not yet raise rates from its record-low level. The decision against a Fed rate hike came with a 9-1 vote. The Fed said a further delay is required due to concerns about weakness in the global economy. The U.S. dollar index plunged yesterday after news of the decision.
According to notes from the Fed Open Market Committee, four members said they do not support an interest rate hike until after 2015. The central bank will have two more meetings this year: Oct. 27-28 and Dec. 15-16. Given that the Fed will not hold a press conference in October, pundits believe the move will happen in December. [Editor's Note: Get our "investors' guide" to Fed interest rates and the upcoming hike here...]
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