European and U.S. stocks remained fairly stagnant on Tuesday as investors anxiously awaited the latest round of tech companies’ earnings and the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision on Wednesday. Futures on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 remained relatively unchanged early on Tuesday, while those on the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped by 0.2%.
Billed as the busiest week so far in this reporting season, Microsoft Corp. and Alphabet Inc. are among the first companies that are set to release their earnings, thereby providing an indication of how bullish markets should remain about Wall Street’s record-breaking rally.
Markets are also highly concerned with the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision following its two-day policy meeting. While rates are expected to be held steady, optimistic investors are expecting rate cuts to be implemented starting in March. Investors will await Fed Chari Jerome Powell’s press conference on Wednesday to better gauge the central bank’s policy trajectory.
