Stock Futures Little Changed. Markets Await Fed’s Decision.

Stocks were poised for a muted open on Monday in New York. (NYSE)

Key Points

• Stock futures were largely unchanged Sunday evening as investors anticipate the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision this week.
• All three major U.S. stock indexes concluded last week with gains, marking their second consecutive week of increases.
• The Dow is up 12.7% this year, the S&P 500 is up 16.8%, and the Nasdaq Composite is up 22.1%.

Stock futures were little changed on Sunday evening as investors await this week’s decision on interest rates by the Federal Reserve and expectations for what’s in store next week.

Shortly after 6 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were flat, and S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq Composite futures were barely budging higher.

On Wednesday, the Fed will announce its interest rate decision and release the latest Summary of Economic Projections, followed by remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

Other economic highlights this week include the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ delayed Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey for September and October, out Tuesday, and last week’s initial unemployment claims on Thursday.

All three major U.S. stock market indexes ended last week higher, posting their second straight week of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5%; the S&P 500 rose 0.3%; and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.9%.

The Dow posted its largest two-week point and percentage gain since the week ended Oct. 24, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

The S&P 500 recorded its largest two-week point and percentage gain since the week ended July 3.

And the Nasdaq saw its largest two-week point gain since the week ended May 2, and its largest two-week percentage gain since the week ended July 3.

The Dow is up 12.7% this year; the S&P 500 is up 16.8%, and the Nasdaq Composite is up 22.1%.

President Donald Trump heads to Pennsylvania on Tuesday to make his case that his economic policies are helping Americans.

The president has called affordability a Democratic “con job,” while also calling himself “the affordability president.” On Saturday, he blamed the affordability crisis on his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, and said he’s fixing it.

Tuesday’s appearance in Pennsylvania will kick off what the media reports have said will be a national tour, but the location and other stops haven’t been announced yet.

Write to Janet H. Cho at janet.cho@dowjones.com