Stocks Scatter as Investors Prepare for Fed Remarks

The Fed will wrap up its two-day policy meeting this afternoon

Jake Scott

Deputy Editor

Jan 29, 2025 at 11:40 AM

Stocks are mixed this afternoon, as investors await an interest rate update from the Federal Reserve's first policy meeting of 2025. The central bank is slated to deliver its monetary policy decision at 2 p.m. ET, followed by remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. At last check, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) is modestly higher, while the S&P 500 Index (SPX) sits lower.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) is down triple digits, as Nvidia (NVDA) continues to waver, last seen down nearly 5%. The semiconductor giant's shares have seen volatile swings this week amid the DeepSeek-sparked sell-off.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

Breaking down the Visa and X partnership.
Analyst halves price target on Moderna stock.
Plus, 3 stocks swinging wildly after quarterly reports.

Midday Market Stats January 292025 Dutch-based semiconductor equipment giant ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:ASML) is making waves on Wall Street this afternoon, after its fourth-quarter net bookings showed strong demand for its chipmaking tools, surging 169% over the last quarter and surpassing forecasts. Options traders are taking note, with 23,000 calls and 16,000 puts traded so far today -- 5 times the average intraday volume. New positions are opening at the top three most popular contracts, led by the weekly 2/7 780-strike call. ASML was last seen 4.8% higher $715.80, putting it back in the black for 2025. It's a different long-term story, however, with ASML stock down 17.5% year-over-year.

Brinker International Inc (NYSE:EAT), owner of restaurant chains such as Chili's and Maggiano's Little Italy, reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share (EPS) and revenue that beat expectations. What's more, the company raised its full-year revenue and EPS guidance. In response, EATis one of the top stocks on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today, last seen 14.8% higher at $177.44 -- earlier hitting an all-time high of $180. This puts Brinker stock on track for its best single-day percentage gain since April 2020, and up 337.5% over the last 12 months.

EAT Chart January 292025

Meanwhile, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE:TEVA) stock is near the bottom of the NYSE this afternoon, down 12.7% at $18.79 at last glance. Pressured by a fourth-quarter loss on lower revenue and an operating loss, TEVA is now down 15.3% in 2023.

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