Dow flat after hours; Fed decision due Wednesday

Tuesday's stock market closed with mixed signals, leaving investors in a holding pattern ahead of two major events: the Federal Reserve's rate decision and a wave of earnings from AI-supply-chain companies. Dow Jones futures, S&P 500 futures, and Nasdaq futures all posted little change in after-hours trading, reflecting cautious positioning. The earnings calendar featured four notable AI-related plays—Seagate Technology, KLA Corp., Teradyne, and Bloom Energy—all reporting after the close, alongside South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix. These companies serve the infrastructure and manufacturing backbone of the AI industry, so their results and forward guidance could signal whether demand for AI chips and supporting equipment remains robust or is beginning to cool. The larger macro overhang is the Federal Reserve meeting, which concludes Wednesday afternoon. While a rate hike remains possible, market expectations lean toward a hold, making the Fed's language on future policy and economic conditions a key focus for traders seeking direction.

The stock market was split on Tuesday, with after-hours futures showing little directional conviction. The real catalysts for the week are the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision due Wednesday afternoon and a slate of earnings from companies critical to the AI infrastructure buildout. Seagate Technology, KLA Corp., Teradyne, Bloom Energy, and SK Hynix all reported or are reporting results, offering investors a window into demand and margins within semiconductor manufacturing, power management, and equipment testing—sectors that underpin AI data-center expansion. The Fed's stance on rates, combined with these earnings signals, will likely shape market sentiment for the remainder of the week.

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