Stocks: Everything is on hold until the Fed delivers that rate cut on Wednesday

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 is close to its all-time high, with traders awaiting the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, expected to be a cut of 0.25% at the upcoming FOMC meeting [1][2][3] Market Sentiment - Asian markets showed positive movement, while European markets remained flat; the VIX index has decreased by 10.33% over the past five sessions, indicating reduced volatility [2] - The market is expected to react significantly to Chair Powell's statements post-FOMC meeting, particularly regarding the labor market and inflation concerns [3][4] Federal Reserve Insights - The anticipated interest rate cut would mark the sixth reduction since September 2024, with a current expectation of rates dropping to 3.5% [2][4] - There is an expectation of dissent among Fed officials during the meeting, which could indicate differing views on monetary policy [4] Consumer Confidence - Declining consumer confidence is influencing the Fed's decision-making, with consumers expressing concerns over economic conditions and labor market health [4] - Recent reports suggest that U.S. consumers are showing signs of reduced resilience, with expectations for a weak Q4 based on income and spending data [5] Market Snapshot - S&P 500 futures were flat, closing the last session up by 0.19%; other global indices showed mixed results, with Japan's Nikkei 225 up by 0.18% and China's CSI 300 up by 0.81% [5][6]