Fed Maintains Interest Rates Unchanged for First Time Since July

Bassyonni

Published: January 28, 2026 2:14 PM ET

Fed Maintains Interest Rates Unchanged for First Time Since July

The stock market experienced a stable day as major indices remained close to unchanged. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat as of 1:47 p.m. ET. The S&P 500 dipped slightly by 0.1%, while the Nasdaq managed a modest increase of 0.13%. The market awaits crucial announcements from the Federal Reserve regarding interest rates later today.

Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Decision

Investors are keenly anticipating the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates, scheduled for 2 p.m. ET. Following this, Fed Chair Jerome Powell will address the market at 2:30 p.m. ET. This week is particularly important as it may set the tone for the market through the rest of the year.

Upcoming Earnings Reports

On the earnings front, major tech companies are set to report their results. Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT), and Tesla (TSLA) will release their earnings post-market today. Apple (AAPL) is scheduled to present its results on Thursday. Collectively, these companies are part of the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks that have significantly influenced market performance over the past three years.

Market Commentary

Chris Brigati, Chief Investment Officer at SWBC, commented on the week’s significance, highlighting the importance of a strong January for setting the market narrative for 2026. He noted that investor psychology plays a critical role in shaping market trends.

Commodities and Currency Update

Gold prices increased by 4.7% amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Silver experienced an impressive surge, climbing by 7.3%.
US Treasury yields saw a slight uptick, indicating a mild bond market reaction.
The dollar index rose by 0.38% following comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about a “strong dollar policy.”

Analyst Krishna Guha from Evercore ISI remarked that the mixed signals from the government regarding the dollar may indicate a strategic approach to managing market reactions. This includes adjusting Treasury policy to influence foreign exchange markets effectively.