Stock futures are pointing to a slightly lower open for major indexes on Wednesday as investors respond to a slew of earnings reports from retailers and brace for a big speech later in the week by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Investors are eager for a sense of where policymakers stand on the question of interest rate cuts after economic data this month showed they face a tricky dilemma between a weakening labor market and stubborn inflation.

Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures are falling in premarket trading as the stock market braces for the Federal Reserve's minutes and any clues about interest-rate cuts.

The stock market dipped on Wednesday, driven by a decline in tech stocks and Target announcing the appointment of a new CEO

Good morning. This is TheStreet's Stock Market Today for Aug. 20, 2025. The stock market is now open. At last look, the indexes are near session lows. The Dow (-0.26%), which started the day in the green, is now down. It joins the Russell 2000 (-0.83%), S&P 500 (-0.88%), and Nasdaq (-1.64%).

The stock's fall snapped a two-day winning streak.