OP Wire 3/18 (OP – Lite)

By Steve

U.S. stock index futures showed little movement Tuesday as traders remained cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated policy meeting this week.

As of 05:45 ET (09:45 GMT):

Dow Jones Futures rose 19 points (+0.1%)
S&P 500 Futures were flat
Nasdaq 100 Futures dropped 25 points (-0.1%)

Monday’s session saw Wall Street bounce back, extending last week’s rebound:

S&P 500 +0.6%
Nasdaq Composite +0.3%
Dow Jones Industrial Average +0.9%

Fed Meeting Front and Center

Investor attention is locked onto the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting, which kicks off today. The central bank is widely expected to hold rates steady, but traders are watching for any signals regarding the Fed’s economic outlook.

With inflation still sticky and uncertainty surrounding Trump’s economic policies, Fed projections will be critical in determining market sentiment moving forward. A softening labor market and growing recession fears could push the Fed toward a less hawkish stance in upcoming meetings.

Trump-Putin Ceasefire Talks

Markets are also monitoring today’s phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump hinted that “many elements” of a Ukraine peace deal were in place, though key issues remain unresolved. A ceasefire agreement could lead to sanctions relief on Russian energy exports, impacting oil markets and global equities.

Tech Spotlight: Nvidia’s GTC & Adobe’s AI Strategy

Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang will deliver a keynote speech at the GTC conference in California, potentially outlining the future of the AI revolution that has driven Nvidia’s stock to record highs.
Nvidia has fallen nearly 20% from its peak amid broader market weakness and concerns over whether the AI trade can continue its explosive growth.
Adobe (ADBE) executives will also discuss their AI strategy at the company’s digital experience conference, hoping to reassure investors after lackluster earnings guidance last week.

Crude Oil Climbs as Middle East Tensions Flare

Oil prices extended gains after Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza, marking the most significant escalation since the January ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the strikes following stalled negotiations over hostage releases and ceasefire terms.

Brent crude +1.3% to $71.97/barrel
WTI crude +1.3% to $68.27/barrel

Oil markets also remain volatile due to Red Sea tensions and China’s economic stimulus efforts aimed at boosting demand.

Key Upgrades & Downgrades

HC Wainwright & Co.: Reiterates SolarBank (SUUN) at Buy, price target $6
Telsey Advisory Group: Lowers Five Below (FIVE) from $115 → $85, maintains Market Perform
Morgan Stanley: Upgrades Lucid Group (LCID) from Underweight → Equal-Weight, sets price target at $3
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods: Upgrades Block (XYZ) from Market Perform → Outperform, lowers price target from $87 → $80
Goldman Sachs: Upgrades Ralph Lauren (RL) from Neutral → Buy, raises price target from $280 → $286

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Final Thoughts

Another strong day for Swing Trade Chat, AC&I, and Secret Sauce, with the premarket plan delivering yet again. Stay sharp and ready for opportunities—see you in chat for more gains!

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