Quick overview
- The three major U.S. stock indexes closed mixed, with the Dow down 0.25%, the S&P 500 flat, and the Nasdaq up 0.31%.
- Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized a cautious approach to interest rate cuts amid inflation concerns during his testimony before Congress.
- Investors are anticipating the upcoming release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index for insights into U.S. monetary policy.
- Nvidia was a standout performer, rising 4.33% and continuing its strong performance in 2025.
The three major U.S. stock indexes ended Wednesday’s session with modest moves, closing mixed as investors kept a close eye on developments in the Middle East and analyzed remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which tracks 30 blue-chip companies, fell 0.25% to 42,982.43 points.
- The S&P 500, representing the largest and most valuable U.S. companies, finished flat at 6,092.16 points.
- The Nasdaq Composite, heavily weighted toward tech, rose 0.31% to 19,973.55 points.
On the second day of his semiannual testimony before Congress, Powell stated that while new tariffs might lead to a temporary uptick in prices, the risk of persistent inflation warrants a cautious approach before considering interest rate cuts.
SPX
“We are not making any decisions just yet,” Powell said—hours after President Donald Trump criticized him again, calling him “terrible” and revealing that he is already reviewing potential replacements due to Powell’s reluctance to cut rates.
Market Outlook and Projection
Investors are now looking ahead to Friday’s release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, which could provide further clarity on the future of U.S. monetary policy.
Despite easing geopolitical concerns—thanks to a continued ceasefire between Israel and Iran—most sectors ended the day lower, led by losses in real estate stocks.
Among individual performers, Nvidia stood out once again. The AI chipmaker rose 4.33%, becoming the top gainer within the Dow Jones and continuing its remarkable upward trajectory in 2025.
Ignacio Teson
Economist and Financial Analyst
Ignacio Teson is an Economist and Financial Analyst. He has more than 7 years of experience in emerging markets. He worked as an analyst and market operator at brokerage firms in Argentina and Spain.
