Stock Market Today: Dow Jones, S&P 500 Futures Slip As Investors Brace For Mega-Cap Earnings—Brand Engagement, Nucor In Focus

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures declined on Monday following a mixed close on Friday, with major benchmark indices showing lower futures [1] - Investors are focused on upcoming earnings reports from companies such as UnitedHealth Group, General Motors, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Tesla, and Starbucks [1] - The Federal Open Market Committee's interest rate decision is anticipated on Wednesday [1] Treasury Yields - The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond is at 4.21%, while the two-year bond yield stands at 3.59% [2] - Market projections indicate a 97.2% likelihood that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged in January [2] Index Performance - Dow Jones decreased by 0.12%, S&P 500 fell by 0.24%, Nasdaq 100 dropped by 0.44%, and Russell 2000 declined by 0.29% [3] - SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.22% at $687.69, and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) declined 0.43% to $620.04 in premarket trading [3] Stocks in Focus - Baker Hughes Co. reported a 3.74% increase in premarket trading after posting adjusted earnings of 78 cents per share, exceeding estimates of 67 cents [7] - Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. saw a 6.72% rise after completing a trial commitment for its PMO therapies and releasing third-quarter results [7] - Nucor Corp. is projected to report quarterly earnings of $1.91 per share on revenue of $7.87 billion [7] - WR Berkley Corp. is expected to report earnings of $1.13 per share on revenue of $3.66 billion, with a weaker price trend according to Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings [15] Analyst Insights - Mohamed El-Erian notes a "2025 Paradox" where financial markets remain resilient despite geopolitical tensions, with U.S. economic activity appearing robust [11] - El-Erian anticipates the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates, with a focus on corporate earnings from tech giants and political issues affecting market stability [12][13] Upcoming Economic Data - Key economic reports to watch include durable-goods orders, consumer confidence data, and the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision [17]