Stock Market Today: Dow Jones, S&P 500 Futures Rise Ahead Of Jerome Powell's Speech—Lululemon, CF Industries, New Fortress Energy In Focus
CFCF(US:CF) Benzinga·2026-03-18 09:27

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures rose on Wednesday following a positive close on Tuesday, with major benchmark indices showing gains [1] - Investors are focused on the upcoming producer price index data and the Federal Open Market Committee's interest rate decision [1] Interest Rates and Treasury Yields - The CME Group's FedWatch tool indicates a 98.9% likelihood that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged [2] - The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.17%, while the two-year bond was at 3.66% [2] Index Performance - Dow Jones increased by 0.54%, S&P 500 by 0.51%, Nasdaq 100 by 0.62%, and Russell 2000 by 0.92% [2] Stocks in Focus - Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) fell 2.04% in premarket trading after issuing fiscal year guidance below estimates, with a weaker price trend and poor quality score [4] - Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) gained 2.99% as analysts expect earnings of $8.77 per share on revenue of $19.26 billion, maintaining a strong price trend and solid quality score [5] - KKR & Co Inc. (NYSE:KKR) rose 0.71% after announcing an investment of up to $310 million in PMI Electro and its e-bus unit Allfleet, but maintains a weak price trend [5] - New Fortress Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:NFE) jumped 6.96% after signing a debt restructuring agreement with creditors, although it has a weak price trend [13] Economic Insights - Professor Jeremy Siegel maintains a cautious tone regarding the U.S. stock market in the short term but remains bullish on the long-term outlook, warning of a potential 10% correction due to geopolitical shocks and rising oil prices [7][8] - Siegel describes the current economic environment as a "softer backdrop" rather than a broken one, noting that the labor market has not yet "cracked" [8] Upcoming Economic Data - February's Producer Price Index (PPI) and Core PPI data will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET, with the FOMC interest-rate decision at 2:00 p.m. and Fed Chair Powell's press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET [14]

Stock Market Today: Dow Jones, S&P 500 Futures Rise Ahead Of Jerome Powell's Speech—Lululemon, CF Industries, New Fortress Energy In Focus - Reportify