FX.co ★ US Futures Rise After Fed Decision

U.S. stock futures rose on Thursday as investors assessed the Federal Reserve's latest policy decision. On Wednesday, the Fed implemented a 25 basis point interest rate cut, aligning with market expectations. The Fed also indicated plans for two additional cuts this year, but only one in 2026, which contrasts with market forecasts of two or three cuts in the coming year. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell adopted a cautious approach, describing the rate adjustment as a measure for "risk management." Investors now focus on upcoming inflation and labor market reports to gauge future policy directions. In corporate updates, Cracker Barrel shares fell over 9% in after-hours trading following a disappointing fourth-quarter earnings report. In Wednesday's market session, the Dow rose by 0.57%, while the S&P 500 inched down 0.1%, and the Nasdaq decreased by 0.33%. In terms of sector performance, financials, consumer staples, and materials performed well, whereas technology, industrials, and consumer discretionary sectors underperformed.