US Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Crucial Federal Reserve Meeting: Markets Brace for Potential 2025 Rate Cut
US stock futures moved modestly higher on December 8 morning, as investors entered a pivotal week marked by the Federal Reserve’s final policy meeting of 2025. The upward tilt in futures signals cautious optimism across Wall Street as traders’ position for what many expect to be the Fed’s first major easing step in months.
Gain at Wall Street
Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average hovered slightly above the flatline, while S&P 500 futures gained around 0.2%. Nasdaq 100 futures rose nearly 0.3%, extending the tech-heavy index’s positive momentum. The advance follows two consecutive weeks of gains for major US benchmarks.
Last week, the S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, the Dow added 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite outperformed with a 0.9% rise. A slightly gentler September inflation reading, which eased concerns over persistent price pressures and suggested that consumer expenses remain contained.
Big Meeting Ahead
This week’s central focus is the Federal Reserve. With the Federal Open Market Committee convening on Dec 9 and Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference scheduled for Wednesday, market expectations for a rate cut have surged.
According to CME FedWatch data, futures now price in an 88% likelihood of an easing move—far above the roughly 67% probability seen just one month prior. Investors are increasingly confident that slowing inflation and cooling economic indicators will prompt the Fed to adjust its policy stance.
The labor market will also be closely watched. December 9 (Tuesday’s) expected release of the delayed October JOLTS report will offer new insight into hiring trends, job openings, layoffs, and worker quit rates. Last week’s mixed employment signals have heightened anticipation around fresh data that could further influence the Fed’s decision-making process.
Corporate earnings remain part of the week’s narrative as well. Oracle and Adobe are slated to report quarterly results on December 10, providing a read on enterprise software demand heading into 2026. Broadcom and Costco will headline Thursday’s earnings, adding further cues for both the tech and retail sectors.
Metals in Focus
In commodities, precious metals were in focus amid heightened rate-cut speculation. Silver prices fluctuated Monday after rallying more than 2% in the previous session. The metal briefly approached a record high last week before sliding back toward $58 an ounce.
- Investor appetite remains strong, with silver-backed ETFs posting their largest weekly inflow since July—nearly 590 tons.
- Gold also edged higher as lower interest rate expectations continued to support non-yielding assets.
Silver’s recent spike, which reached $59.33 on December 6, reflects both expectations of Fed easing and lingering market disruptions from a historic short squeeze in London. Analysts suggest the rally may persist, though volatility is likely to remain elevated.
Helene Elliott is the senior reporter for News Raise. She covers Science news. She also has a keen interest in photojournalism. Helene holds a nomination for the prestigious Red Smith Award. She is married to author Dennis D’Agostino, a former publicist with the New York Mets.
