US stocks are set to open mixed, as investors sit on their hands ahead of the release of the minutes of the Fed’s policy makers’ meeting.
“The Federal Reserve has very much come back into focus in recent days after John Williams suggested that a higher inflation target may be more suitable for the US economy in the current environment of sluggish growth,” noted Craig Erlam of forex trading platform operator OANDA.
“These comments suggest Williams opposes further rate hikes despite certain economic indicators indicating that such a move would be suitable, which poses the question of what other policy makers share this view and is there therefore a reluctance within the Fed to do so?” Erlam added.
While the S&P 500 index is looking at opening maybe a point higher at around 2,179, the Dow Jones average is, according to spread betting quotes, looking at a fall of around 17 points.
Retailers Lowe’s Companies Inc (NYSE:LOW) and Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) have both underwhelmed with trading updates and were among the big blue-chip fallers in pre-market trading.