Stock Futures Today in the Red After Fed Chickens Out on Rate Hike

Garrett Baldwin

Good morning! For Friday, Sept. 17, here are your stock market futures, top stock market news, and stocks to watch…

Stock Futures Today

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…]

Top News in the Stock Market Today

• The Stock Market Today: Today, expect further reaction to the Federal Reserve's rate decision, the Leading Indicators, and an update on the Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI) rig count.
• Oil Outlook: Oil prices were down after the Fed's rate decision restored traders' concerns about global economic health. This morning, WTI prices slipped 1.8% to $46.06, while Brent oil prices fell 0.6% to hit $48.75. Bearish sentiment remains on the news that the world's leading producers will still likely pump as much oil as possible in order to maintain share, despite falling prices. This week, Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE: GS) predicted a 50% chance that oil prices fall to $20 per barrel.
• Earnings Reports: No major U.S. companies report earnings this morning.

Pre-Market Movers in the Stock Market Today: AKS, TXN, ADBE

• Pre-Market Movers No. 1, AKS: Shares of AK Steel Holding Corp. (NYSE: AKS) surged more than 7.5% in premarket hours after the company issued stronger-than-expected outlook for the third quarter. The news is extremely positive for a commodity that has been subdued on concerns about slowing growth in the global economy and a rising dollar.

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Garrett Baldwin

About the Author

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Garrett Baldwin is a globally recognized research economist, financial writer, and consultant with degrees from Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Purdue, and Indiana University. He is a seasoned financial and political risk analyst, with a focus on stocks, hedge funds, private equity, blockchain, and housing policy. He has conducted risk assessment projects for clients in 27 countries, and consulted on policy and financial operations for some of the nation's largest financial institutions, including a $1.5 trillion credit fund, a $43 billion credit and auto loan giant, as well as two of the largest Wall Street banks by assets under management.

Garrett joined Money Map Press as an economist and researcher in 2011, specializing in alternative strategies with an emphasis on fundamental and technical analysis.

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