Fed Meeting in Focus as US Equity Futures Waver Pre-Bell

BY MT Newswires | ECONOMIC | 08:28 AM EDT

08:28 AM EDT, 03/17/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were little changed pre-bell Tuesday as traders stayed on the sidelines while the Federal Reserve begins its two-day policy meeting.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.1% lower, S&P 500 futures were down 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.3% lower.

Rising oil prices, hovering near $100 per barrel, are expected to be a key point of discussion for policymakers given their implications for inflation.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 2.2% at $102.40 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 2.9% higher at $95.13 per barrel.

The February pending home sales index, scheduled for release at 10 am ET, is expected to show a 0.6% decline following a 0.8% decrease in the prior month, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

fir_news_article