Fed Policy Uncertainty Dampens Markets Amid Soaring Inflation

Traders remain cautious on Wednesday as they anticipate the Federal Reserve's statement and Chair Jerome Powell's press conference. Inflation reports exceeding expectations have raised concerns about the Fed's plans for interest rates and balance sheet runoff. Blue chips have slightly outperformed, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 has underperformed due to disappointing earnings guidance from Advanced Micro Devices and a broader industry decline. ADP's National Employment Report indicated a stronger-than-expected private jobs addition in April, but the ISM Manufacturing Index surprisingly contracted, missing expectations. Cryptocurrency markets remain volatile, with Bitcoin experiencing a significant drop.

Federal Reserve Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Markets Amidst Elevated Inflation

New York, United States - Financial markets tread cautiously on Wednesday, seeking clarity on the Federal Reserve's stance as inflation reports exceed expectations. Investors eagerly anticipate the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement, expected to maintain interest rates and potentially announce a reduction in the Fed's balance sheet runoff.

The S&P 500 index edged down 0.2%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 underperformed, declining by 0.6%. Blue-chip stocks outperformed the market, posting a 0.3% rise.

Earnings reports continue to drive market sentiment, with chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) delivering less optimistic guidance for the second quarter, leading to a 10% decline in its share price. The broader chip industry witnessed a decline, with Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) shares dropping more than 5%.

Economic data showed a stronger-than-expected increase in private sector jobs in April, according to the ADP National Employment Report. However, the ISM Manufacturing Index unexpectedly fell back into contraction territory, missing expectations.

Cryptocurrency markets remained fragile, with Bitcoin (BTC/USD) sinking over 5%, on track for a two-day, 10% slump, the worst since November 2022.

Major US Indices and ETFs Performance

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) fell 0.2% to $501.04, while **SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average** (DIA) rose 0.3% to $379.38. Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), tracking the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100, declined by 0.6% to $422.21, as per Benzinga Pro data.

Sector Performance

Utilities led the market, with Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) gaining 1.2%. Communication services also performed well, with Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) rising 1.1%. The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) was the major laggard, declining by 1.6%.

Notable Stock Movers

Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) plunged over 16% in response to its earnings report. Other companies reacting to earnings included Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), up 1.2%; Stryker Corp. (SIK), Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ), down 1.6%; Mastercard Inc. (MA), down 1%; Pfizer Inc. (PFE); The Estee Lauder Companies (EL), down 13%; Pinterest Inc. (PINS), up nearly 20%; New York Community Bancorp (NYCB), up over 30%; and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), down nearly 14%.

Notable companies reporting earnings after the close include Albemarle Corporation (ALB), The Allstate Corporation (ALL), Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (BZH), C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW), Devon Energy Corporation (DVN), eBay Inc. (EBAY), Etsy, Inc. (ETSY), First Solar, Inc. (FSLR), Freshworks Inc. (FRSH), Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. (KLIC), Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO), MetLife, Inc. (MET), MGM Resorts International (MGM), NETGEAR, Inc. (NTGR), Qorvo, Inc. (QRVO), Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NOVA), Upwork Inc. (UPWK), Wolfspeed, Inc. (WOLF), and Zillow Group, Inc. (ZG).

Markets eagerly await the release of the April jobs report on Friday, which will provide further insight into the state of the labor market and wage pressures.