Exchange-Traded Funds Higher, Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell Wednesday Ahead of Fed Rates Announcement
The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.1% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) advanced 0.7% in Wednesday's premarket activity, ahead of the highly anticipated interest rate announcement by the Federal Reserve at 2 pm ET.US stock futures were mixed, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.1%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.6% before the start of regular trading.Mortgage applications fell by 3.8% in the week ended June 12 after a 10.8% increase in the previous week, as average 30-year fixed mortgage rates held steady, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data released Wednesday.US retail sales rose by 0.9% in May, a larger gain than the 0.6% increase expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET and following the previous month's revised 0.4% gain.The pending home sales data for May and the business inventories data for April are both scheduled to be released at 10:00 am ET.Weekly petroleum stocks data are due to be released at 10:30 am ET.The Federal Reserve's 2 pm ET announcement will be followed by new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's first press conference at 2:30 pm ET.In premarket action, bitcoin was down by 1.3%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 1.2% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 2.1%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was inactive.Power Play:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) retreated by 0.1%. The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) fell 0.2% and the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was inactive. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.5% higher.AbCellera Biologics (ABCL) shares rose 2.4%, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) stock was up 1.6% premarket after the companies signed a preclinical research collaboration, option, and license deal to discover and develop T-cell-engaging multispecific antibodies.Winners and Losers:IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) advanced 0.3%, the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was up 0.1%, and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was inactive.SpaceX (SPCX) stock was up more than 3% before the opening bell, following a 4.8% rise in Tuesday's session. Investor Michael Burry, known for calling the US housing collapse and the 2008 financial crisis, wrote in his newsletter on Tuesday that the company's put options remain too expensive.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced by 1.3%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was up 0.8%, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 1.9%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was 1.9% higher, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 2.7%.Nokia (NOK) shares were up 2.6% in premarket activity after the company said it will expand its advanced semiconductor test and packaging facilities in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to increase the manufacturing of photonic chips for artificial intelligence networks.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was down 0.6%, and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was up 1%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.2%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was flat.Stellantis (STLA) shares were up 1.9% pre-bell after Bloomberg reported, citing FIM-CISL labor union secretary general Ferdinando Uliano, that the company has pledged new investments in Italy, including 5 billion euros ($5.80 billion) in research and development by 2030 and the addition of engineering jobs.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) retreated by 0.03%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 0.4%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.2% higher.Aegon (AEG) shares were down 0.8% pre-bell after gaining 1.5% at the prior close. The company said it has appointed Will Fuller as chief operating officer, effective Jan. 1, 2027.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was down 0.8%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) retreated by 0.1%.YPF (YPF) stock was down 0.1% before the opening bell, adding to the 2.6% loss at the previous close. Reuters reported that the company signed a letter of intent to explore collaborations in fast-charging networks and energy storage infrastructure.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil gained by 0.9% to $76.73 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas retreated by 0.7% to $3.22 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) declined by 0.4%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.1% lower.Gold futures for July were slightly lower to $4,352.50 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures gained 0.1% to $70.58 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) declined by 0.01%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 0.3% lower.
