U.S. stock indexes fell after the Federal Reserve signaled it may deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than earlier thought.

The stock market took an unexpectedly nasty tumble following a routine rate cut amid—critically—broader signals that the Federal Reserve might only cut rates twice in 2025 instead of four more times.

The Cboe Volatility Index, which trades under the ticker symbol VIX, was down 4% at slightly more than 15, according to FactSet data, at last check. The VIX was trading slightly below its 200-day moving average, based on FactSet data around midday Wednesday.

Asian Stocks Are Mostly Higher Ahead of Federal Reserve's Meeting HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks were mostly higher on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's final rate decision of this year. U.S. futures rose while oil prices were mixed.

European markets opened higher after a mixed trading session in Asia ahead of the Federal Reserve's final rate decision of this year. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were 0.

Asian stocks were mixed on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's final rate decision of this year. U.S. futures and oil prices rose. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped 0.7% to 39,081.71 after the government reported that exports rose 3.

Shares are mixed in Asia after the Nasdaq set a record ahead of a meeting by the Federal Reserve later this week that could set the direction for markets in the new year

While the market sees a 25 basis point rate cut this week as all but certain, odds the Fed hits the brakes on further cuts in January have steadily risen.