Source: Sharecast
As of 1445 BST, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.08% at 45,549.57, while the S&P 500 advanced 0.13% to 6,503.78 and the Nasdaq Composite came out of the gate 0.23% firmer at 21,848.97.
The Dow opened 34.62 points higher on Tuesday, extending gains recorded in the previous session as markets geared up for a potential interest-rate cut by the Federal Reserve next week.
Investors have been holding out for two major inflation releases later this week, with the data likely to shape expectations for the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next Wednesday. Sentiment has shifted in recent days following a softer-than-expected US jobs report, which fuelled hopes that interest rates may be headed lower. However, any upside surprise in the inflation figures could challenge that narrative, prompting a reassessment of the Fed's near-term stance. The producer price index for August was due out on Wednesday, while the consumer price index will follow on Thursday.
Both prints will be closely watched for signs of persistent price pressures, particularly in core categories, with traders currently pricing in a dovish tilt from the Fed, with some forecasting a rate cut as early as this month, even though officials have remained cautious in recent commentary. The US central bank has held rates steady since July, citing progress on inflation but warning that labour market resilience and energy price volatility could complicate the path forward.
On the macro front, the National Federation of Independent Business' optimism index rose 0.5 points in August to 100.8, almost three points above the 52-year average of 98. Of the 10 Optimism Index components, four increased, four decreased, and two were unchanged. The Uncertainty Index fell by four points to 93, but remained well above the historical average, due to a decrease in uncertainty about financing expectations and planned capital expenditures.
Still to come, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will publish a preliminary benchmark revision to its Establishment Survey data at 1500 BST, with the revision set to cover the 12-month period through March 2025. Official establishment survey estimates will not be updated based on the preliminary benchmark revision, with the final benchmark revision to be incorporated into official estimates with the publication of the BLS's January 2026 Employment Situation news release in 2026.
In the corporate space, Oracle and GameStop will report earnings after the close
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
Dow Jones - Risers
International Business Machines Corporation (CDI) (IBM) $255.38 3.13%
Unitedhealth Group Inc. (UNH) $320.58 1.62%
Walmart Inc. (WMT) $101.97 1.53%
Boeing Co. (BA) $231.15 0.64%
Walt Disney Co. (DIS) $118.24 0.27%
Nike Inc. (NKE) $74.02 0.18%
Home Depot Inc. (HD) $419.23 0.16%
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) $738.83 0.16%
Amgen Inc. (AMGN) $280.19 0.03%
Salesforce.Com Inc. (CRM) $250.75 0.02%
Dow Jones - Fallers
Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) $23.74 -2.88%
Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) $43.36 -2.39%
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) $498.20 -1.92%
Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) $66.88 -1.63%
Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) $83.71 -1.16%
McDonald's Corp. (MCD) $311.31 -0.95%
Coca-Cola Co. (KO) $67.29 -0.94%
Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) $158.64 -0.87%
Apple Inc. (AAPL) $237.88 -0.79%
3M Co. (MMM) $154.15 -0.77%
S&P 500 - Risers
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) $44.33 23.21%
Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) $345.65 12.92%
CenturyLink Inc. (LUMN) $5.01 6.00%
Micron Technology Inc. (MU) $131.46 5.84%
Fortinet Inc. (FTNT) $80.36 5.13%
Lam Research Corp. (LRCX) $105.07 4.63%
Adobe Systems Inc. (ADBE) $358.66 4.17%
KLA-Tencor Corp. (KLAC) $908.98 4.09%
Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISRG) $470.00 3.41%
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (TTWO) $248.78 3.38%
S&P 500 - Fallers
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) $151.41 -6.42%
Celanese Corp. (CE) $46.24 -5.11%
Apache Corp. (APA) $22.26 -5.03%
Brown Forman Corp. Class B (BF.B) $27.57 -4.55%
CVS Health Corp (CVS) $70.83 -4.27%
Fastenal Co. (FAST) $48.19 -4.14%
Crown Castle International (CCI) $92.11 -4.04%
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (CMG) $39.44 -3.96%
Diamondback Energy Inc. (FANG) $137.28 -3.83%
American Tower Corp (Reit) (AMT) $190.82 -3.73%
Nasdaq 100 - Risers
Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) $345.65 12.92%
Baidu Inc. (BIDU) $108.65 10.63%
NetEase Inc. Ads (NTES) $144.00 8.16%
JD.com, Inc. (JD) $32.85 6.21%
Micron Technology Inc. (MU) $131.46 5.84%
Asml Holdings N.V. (ASML) $796.25 5.68%
Lam Research Corp. (LRCX) $105.07 4.63%
Adobe Systems Inc. (ADBE) $358.66 4.17%
KLA-Tencor Corp. (KLAC) $908.98 4.09%
Sirius XM Holdings Inc (SIRI) $24.43 3.60%
Nasdaq 100 - Fallers
Fastenal Co. (FAST) $48.19 -4.14%
T-Mobile Us, Inc. (TMUS) $242.90 -3.66%
Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) $84.17 -3.26%
Mercadolibre Inc. (MELI) $2,346.96 -2.93%
Liberty Global plc Series C (LBTYK) $11.87 -2.22%
Cintas Corp. (CTAS) $202.78 -1.96%
Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) $168.31 -1.95%
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) $498.20 -1.92%
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. (ULTA) $519.81 -1.83%
Liberty Global plc Series A (LBTYA) $11.71 -1.68%