{
  "id": 7806892,
  "title": "Nasdaq, S&P 500 climb ahead of keenly awaited Fed decision",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/nasdaq-s-p-500-climb-ahead-of-keenly-awaited-fed-decision",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-16T14:27:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/09/16/nasdaq-s-p-500-climb-ahead-of-keenly-awaited-fed-decision"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "U.S. stock markets rose on Wednesday, ahead of the Federal Reserve's anticipated interest rate decision. The Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 both gained, while the energy sector lagged, following a two-day decline. Lower oil prices provided a respite for investors, as the Middle East conflict situation remained tense. The Federal Reserve's decision, set for 2pm ET, will be pivotal in shaping investor sentiment amidst high Treasury yields, inflation concerns, and geopolitical tensions. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's remarks will be closely scrutinized for insights into the inflation outlook and future rate trajectory. Despite a nearly 93% probability of a rate hike, according to the CME FedWatch tool, uncertainty remains. Fed Chair Warsh's appointment by President Trump was based on the assumption that he would lower interest rates. If the central bank remains unchanged, it could undermine its credibility, especially considering Warsh's focus on curbing inflation. Analysts believe the market's expectations of a rate hike may be too optimistic, as the primary drivers of inflation, like tariffs and AI infrastructure development, remain unresolved. Oil prices fell after Saudi Arabia offered additional crude shipments via Oman, easing Middle East supply concerns. Brent crude futures dropped 1.1% to $107.55, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 1.9% to $103.82. The S&P 500 energy index was the worst performer, down 2.1%, with Devon Energy and ConocoPhillips among the biggest losers. Utilities and real estate indexes led gains, rising 0.6% and 0.4%, respectively. Tech stocks were mixed, with Nvidia and Apple slightly up, while Microsoft fell marginally. Investors also focused on potential consequences of an AI technology slowdown, though details remained unclear. Intel rose 5.6% following reports of South Korea's SK Hynix discussing US memory chip manufacturing. Intel shares in the U.S. were up 2.5%. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners on both the NYSE and Nasdaq, with the S&P 500 hitting four new 52-week highs and the Nasdaq Composite recording 20 new highs and 69 new lows.",
  "summary": "Oil prices dipped, offering some relief during a tense wait for the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "FXStreet",
        "title": "United States Dollar Index gains ground ahead of Fed interest rate decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/united-states-dollar-index-gains-ground-ahead-of-fed-interest-rate",
        "published": "2026-09-16T01:43:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Dollar nears multi-week high ahead of US Federal Reserve rate decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/dollar-nears-multi-week-high-ahead-of-us-federal-reserve-rate-decision",
        "published": "2026-09-16T02:41:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Asian stocks struggle as markets await Fed rate decision amid inflation concerns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/asian-stocks-struggle-as-markets-await-fed-rate-decision-amid",
        "published": "2026-09-16T03:30:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "U.S. 10-yr Treasury yields cool below 5% as Fed rate decision approaches",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/u-s-10-yr-treasury-yields-cool-below-5-as-fed-rate-decision-approaches",
        "published": "2026-09-16T05:19:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Moneyweb",
        "title": "Copper gains as treasury yields ease before Fed rate decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/copper-gains-as-treasury-yields-ease-before-fed-rate-decision",
        "published": "2026-09-16T05:45:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Nasdaq, S&P 500 climb ahead of keenly awaited Fed decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/nasdaq-s-p-500-climb-ahead-of-keenly-awaited-fed-decision-7808079",
        "published": "2026-09-16T14:27:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Nasdaq, S&P 500 climb ahead of keenly awaited Fed decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/nasdaq-s-p-500-climb-ahead-of-keenly-awaited-fed-decision-7808365",
        "published": "2026-09-16T14:53:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}