S&P 500 Jumps as Investors Await Fed Insights and Nvidia’s AI Update

The S&P 500 made a notable jump on Monday, with investors eagerly anticipating key updates from the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting and Nvidia's annual conference—both of which are expected to shed light on the future of AI demand.

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: +353 points (+0.9%)
• S&P 500 Index: +0.2%
• NASDAQ Composite: +0.3%

Key Drivers Behind the Rally

Economic Uncertainty Amid Tariff Concerns
U.S. economic health has been a focal point recently. Over the weekend, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed uncertainty about avoiding a recession in 2025, a sentiment echoed by President Donald Trump. These comments have heightened market caution, even as signs of recovery emerge.

Retail Sales Rebound
In February, U.S. retail sales rebounded by 0.2% after a revised decline of 1.2% in January. Although the rebound indicates modest growth in the first quarter, lingering effects from import tariffs and recent federal job cuts continue to weigh on sentiment. According to Jefferies, there is little evidence of consumer stockpiling in anticipation of further tariff increases.

Focus on Upcoming Fed Meeting
Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve's policy meeting scheduled for March 18-19, where the central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged. The Fed's commentary on ongoing U.S. tariff policies—especially in light of recent shifts under President Trump—remains a critical point of uncertainty.

Nvidia's AI Conference
Nvidia's conference is another key event on the horizon, with industry observers looking for signals on future AI demand that could reshape technology investments. The event's outcomes are expected to provide additional context on market trends and help guide investor decisions.

Relevant FMP APIs for Market Tracking

For those looking to delve deeper into market dynamics, consider using these Financial Modeling Prep APIs:

✅ Historical S&P 500 Constituents API — Access historical and real-time data on the S&P 500 for a comprehensive view of index performance.
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Conclusion

With a blend of cautious optimism and economic uncertainty, the U.S. market is poised for further developments as investors await key insights from the Fed and Nvidia. As tariff policies and shifting consumer trends continue to influence the outlook, leveraging reliable financial data will be essential for navigating these evolving market conditions.