U.S. stock futures rose early Wednesday as traders anticipated the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and earnings from three major technology companies. Futures on the Nasdaq 100 (NDX), the S&P 500 (SPX), and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) were up 0.86%, 0.33%, and 0.02%, respectively, at 3:27 a.m. EST on January 28.
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During Tuesday’s regular trading, the three indexes closed mixed, with the Dow dropping 0.83%. Shares of UnitedHealth (UNH) plunged 19.6%, dragging down the index. UNH fell despite reporting robust Q4FY25 revenues, as news of a Medicare Advantage payment increase of just 0.09% for 2027 pressured the stock. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 gained 0.41% to finish at a record high, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.91%.
On the economic front, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve’s first interest-rate decision today. The central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady, while investors look for clues about future policy directions.
Turning to earnings season, major companies reporting today include Microsoft (MSFT), Meta Platforms (META), Tesla (TSLA), IBM (IBM), AT&T (T), and Starbucks (SBUX).
Notably, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield was up, floating near 4.23%. WTI crude oil futures were trending higher, hovering near $62.48 per barrel as of the last check. Additionally, the Gold Spot U.S. dollar price increased to nearly $5,290 per ounce on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, European indexes opened mixed today amid expectations of a slew of corporate earnings releases.
Asia-Pacific Markets Trade Higher
Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher on January 28, tracking the S&P 500’s gains.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 2.43%. In China, the Shanghai Composite added 0.27%, while the Shenzhen Component rose 0.21%. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.05%, while the Topix fell 0.79%.