LIVE MARKETS-S&P 500, Nasdaq close to flat after data ahead of Fed
Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of markets brought to you by Reuters reporters. You can share your thoughts with us at markets.research@thomsonreuters.com
S&P 500, NASDAQ CLOSE TO FLAT AFTER DATA AHEAD OF FED
Wall Street cooled a bit on Tuesday following the S&P 500 .SPX and Nasdaq's record closing highs on Monday. Tuesday's data crop included more robust-than-expected August retail sales a day ahead of the Federal Reserve's next policy decision. Nasdaq .IXIC was flitting between red and green, while the S&P 500 edged lower and the Dow .DJI was falling.
The Commerce Department's Census Bureau said on Tuesday that retail sales rose 0.6% last month after an upwardly revised 0.6% advance in July. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales, which are mostly goods and are not adjusted for inflation, rising 0.2% following a previously reported 0.5% gain in July.
The data arrived on the same day that the Federal Open Market Committee starts its two-day policy meeting. Traders are betting on a 96% probability that the meeting will end Wednesday with a 25 basis point interest rate cut, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool.
"There was a bounce back in spending at food services and drinking places as well as a big jump in online spending. The consumer is down, but not out," said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management. "As the Fed meets, there will likely be a collective shrugging of the shoulders around the table as they try to figure out what this data means."
Among the S&P 500's 11 major industry sectors only two were showing any real gains with energy .SPNY leading the way, up 1.2% while the weakest were utilities .SPLRCU, financials .SPSY down about 0.7%, each.
Perhaps indicating some investor jitters ahead of the Fed meeting, the CBOE volatility index .VIX was up 0.45 points after hitting its highest level since Sept 5.
Here is your morning snapshot from about 10:25 a.m ET/ 1425 GMT:
(Sinéad Carew)
*****
EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS:
TRANSPORTS ARE NOT ONBOARD WALL STREET'S RALLY CLICK HERE
FTSE 250 TURNING THE CORNER CLICK HERE
GOLD'S RECORD SURGE CLICK HERE
EUROPE VS U.S. STOCKS: WHERE NEXT? CLICK HERE
STOXX DIPS, RECRUITERS WEAK AFTER STHREE WARNING CLICK HERE
EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: BUOYANT MOOD CONTINUES CLICK HERE
FED OPENS SEPTEMBER MEETING WITH INDEPENDENCE UNDER THREAT CLICK HERE
Wall Street indexes take a pause after S&P, Nasdaq records 
Related Articles
September Fed Watch: A Policy Pivot That Could Make or Break the Bull Stock Market
TradingKey - The Fed’s September FOMC meeting is widely seen as locking in the first rate cut of 2025. Yet strategists at Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, and Oppenheimer warn that as investors shift focus to slowing growth, a more cautious tone may replace bullish stock sentiment.
Meta Connect 2025: An Inflection Point for AR Wearables?
TradingKey - Meta Connect 2025 kicks off this Wednesday, and expectations couldn’t be higher.
Effects of Interest Rate Cuts: Impact of Fed's September Meeting on Crypto Market
The Fed’s rate cut decision is a major bullish catalyst for crypto — but it comes with uncertainty. Investors should understand the economic rationale behind the move and adjust strategies accordingly. Staying flexible, informed, and disciplined is key to thriving in crypto’s fast-moving environment
Japan Q2 GDP Commentary: Growth Revised Upward, Yen May Rise
TradingKey - On 8 September 2025, Japan released the revised Q2 GDP figures. The data showed that real GDP grew by 0.5% quarter-on-quarter, surpassing market expectations of 0.3% and the previous quarter’s 0% growth.
Fed to Cut Rates: All Asset Prices Up!
TradingKey - The Federal Reserve is almost certain to restart its interest rate cut cycle on 17 September this year. After in-depth research, we have concluded that cryptocurrencies, the broader U.S. stock market, and short-term U.S. Treasury bonds will all go up.
