US stock market futures showed a mixed but generally positive start on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, as investors turned their attention to the looming two-day Federal Reserve policy meeting, where an interest rate cut is widely anticipated.
Stock Market Futures Overview
The market sentiment, which follows a lower close for major indexes on Monday, suggests cautious optimism driven by expectations of central bank easing.
| Index | Value | Change | Percent Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S&P Futures | 6,862.50 | +6.75 | (+0.10%) | Up |
| Nasdaq Futures | 25,696.25 | +32.25 | (+0.13%) | Up |
| Dow Futures | 47,792.00 | -1.00 | (-0.00%) | Flat/Slightly Down |
| Russell 2000 | 2,522.70 | -2.40 | (-0.10%) | Down |
The S&P Futures and Nasdaq Futures, representing the broader market and tech sector respectively, posted modest gains. Meanwhile, Dow Futures remained essentially flat, and the Russell 2000, which tracks small-cap stocks, saw a minor decline.
Reports suggest that the uptick in futures is partly fueled by positive news in the technology sector, including gains in major chipmakers like Nvidia following a deal to resume certain chip shipments to China.
Commodities and Volatility
Gold and The VIX
Gold climbed to $4,224.40, marking a gain of $6.70 or +0.16%. Gold often moves higher on interest rate cut expectations as lower rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding asset.
The VIX (Volatility Index), a key gauge of market fear, increased to 16.66, up +1.25 points, or +8.11%. The notable spike in the VIX suggests that despite the positive futures, investors are pricing in higher uncertainty surrounding the Fed's decision and forward guidance.
Cryptocurrency and Currency
Bitcoin USD experienced a dip, falling to $90,177.06, a drop of -$791.18 or -0.87%. This retreat comes after a recent rebound from lower levels, with the cryptocurrency remaining sensitive to shifting risk appetites ahead of the Fed meeting.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) also saw a slight decline, trading at 99.02, down -0.07 points or -0.07%. A weaker dollar is typical when markets anticipate a rate cut.
Overall, the day's early trading activity underscores a market holding its breath for the Federal Reserve's decision, with stock futures anticipating a rate cut while the VIX and Bitcoin signal underlying caution.
