With little in the way of earnings or data today, attention turns to the call between U.S. and Chinese leaders, triple witching, and rising Treasury yields. Stocks were flat early.

After a tech- and rate-driven record close Thursday for small and large caps, today could see volatile trading as options expire. The Bank of Japan isn't expected to hike rates.

All the major indices notched fresh all-time highs this week, despite a mere "risk management cut" out of this week's FOMC meeting. Investors appear to be riding the "don't fight the Fed" and "the trend is your friend" investing monikers.

The Fed finally cuts rates, and Freya Beamish joins the show to discuss evolving labor market dynamics.

The 2025/26 soybean harvest has started without any purchases from the United States largest soybean purchaser, China.

The quarter-point Fed rate cut yesterday didn't move markets much, but helped banks and some consumer firms. Today brings weekly jobless claims and earnings from FedEx and Lennar.

As expected, the Federal Reserve cut its short-term interest rate, citing concerns about slowing job growth. Where Fed policy goes from here is less clear.

Today's Fed meeting appears likely to bring a 25-basis point rate cut, the first since December. Rate and economic projections are also awaited, along with Powell's remarks.

Markets open with investors watching retail sales for clues about consumer strength while the Fed’s Wednesday policy meeting looms large.