Stock futures flat after Wall Street rally, Fed in focus

U.S. stock futures were flat in early morning trading on Wednesday as investors clung to the possibility of new fiscal stimulus before the end of the year. Market participants are also looking to the Federal Reserve’s comments on Wednesday about the future of the U.S. economy. Dow futures fell just 31 points. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures also both traded close to the flatline.

On Tuesday, the major average bucked a several day streak of negative sessions, with all three indices closing with gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed nearly 340 points, helped by a 5% jump in Apple’s stock. The S&P 500 climbed 1.3%, snapping a 4-day losing streak. The Nasdaq Composite ended the day 1.25% higher at a new record. The Russell 2000 small cap index closed up 2.4% at a new record close.

Investors cheered developments in Washington regarding a stimulus package to helping ailing Americans from the economic ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to discuss government funding and the relief package on Tuesday. McConnell later told reporters as he was leaving the Capitol that “significant progress” was being made, according to NBC News.

The first plan calls for $748 billion in spending for programs liked by both Republican and Democrats, including federal unemployment benefits and additional loans under the Paycheck Protection Program. A second $160 billion bill would include the more controversial areas of business liability protections and financial aid to state and local governments.

“Stimulus remains a key focus for the market, as it is the necessary bridge to expansive vaccinations,” Lindsey Bell, Chief Investment Strategist for Ally Invest told clients. “Market participants would like to see a deal sooner rather than later given the expectation for economic data to slow near-term. In the absence of a deal, turbulence could pick up.”

The deadline on stimulus looms amid some of the darkest days of the pandemic. The U.S. is recording at least 215,400 new Covid-19 cases and at least 2,300 virus-related deaths each day, based on a seven-day average calculated by CNBC using Johns Hopkins University data.

The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine rollout continued across the U.S. Tuesday. The Federal Reserve will release its statement with projections on the stance of monetary policy on Wednesday afternoon. While the Fed’s long term view is expected to be improved due to the vaccine, the central bank is expected to sound very dovish at the end of its meeting. The bond market could have a volatile reaction depending on what the Fed signals about its bond buying program.

Stock futures flat after Wall Street rally, Fed in focus, CNBC, Dec 16