Analyst: Fed Needs to Provide Clearer Guidance on Its Future Path

Odaily News Early Wednesday, the record-breaking rally in U.S. stocks stalled as Wall Street awaited a batch of economic data. The S&P 500 index was essentially flat, having just set a new closing record high the day before. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index fell 0.2%, while the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3%, as some investors continued to rotate out of the major tech stocks that had driven the market's gains in recent months. Sameer Samana, Global Head of Equities and Real Assets at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, stated: "We are back at the recent highs where the market last stalled. It seems we need more information before breaking through these levels. Furthermore, the Fed needs to provide clearer guidance on its future path." ADP Research Institute data released on Wednesday showed a modest increase in hiring by U.S. companies in December as they entered 2026, with private sector payrolls rising by 41,000, below economists' survey expectations. Investors are awaiting Friday's non-farm payrolls report to gauge the resilience of the labor market. (Jin10 P)