US markets today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures indicate gap-up open; Nike, Fluence Energy, Generac, others to watch

US stock index futures indicate a positive opening on Thursday, September 17, as investors focused on a rebound potential after the massive selloff on the previous day amid easing global crude oil prices and cooling benchmark US Treasury yields.

Dow Jones futures were trading 0.77% higher at 52,314 points ahead of the opening bell on Thursday’s market, indicating a more than 850-point higher open indicating a high rebound potential after the massive selloff due to Fed’s policy outcome.

The S&P 500 index futures were up 0.83% at 7,686.50 points ahead of the Wall Street opening bell on September 17, indicating a 134 point higher open potential when compared to the previous equity market close.

The data also showed that the Nasdaq 100 index was up 1.08% on Thursday ahead of the opening bell at 29,574 points, indicating a more than 620 point higher open on September 17 amid momentum from the Asian markets.

Key things to watch before US market opens

US stocks to watch on September 17

The stocks witnessed major sell-off on Wednesday’s market, which is expected to be followed by fresh buying on Thursday’s market with investors potentially buying stocks at a lesser price.

Generac Holdings also granted Amazon the right to purchase up to $340 million worth of company shares.

Asian stocks end mix

Asian stock market indices ended on a mixed note as investors weighed in the impact of the US Fed rate hike against the selective stock specific action among technology and chipmaking stocks in Japan.

MarketWatch data showed that Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended 0.33% higher, and Singapore’s FTSE closed 0.45% higher after the trading session on September 17, 2026.

While others like Hong Kong’s Hang Seng closed 0.44% lower, Shanghai Composite ended 0.41% lower, India’s SENSEX ended near flat 0.03% lower, and South Korea’s KOSPI ended 0.04% lower after Thursday’s market.

Crude oil pullback

Global crude oil prices witnessed a pullback on Thursday’s market, as investors focused on reports over Saudi Arabia arranging additional crude oil shipments through Oman somewhat easing the supply and shortage fears in the market.

Media reports also suggest that Saudi Arabia is offering ship-to-ship transfer of crude oil to its buyers in Asia off the coast of Oman which added to the positive sentiment among traders easing energy prices.

Investing.com data showed that the benchmark Brent crude oil prices have dropped 2.7% to touch an intraday low of $102.87 per barrel (bbl) on Thursday’s market, in comparison to $105.83 per bbl at the previous equity market close.

After rising for several consecutive sessions, crude oil prices are now down 2.8% in the last five session basis as of Thursday evening. However, the energy rates still remain over 16% elevated in the last one-month period.

What experts say about Fed’s rate hike

Although the market largely expected the Federal Reserve rate hike, experts reviewed that the move looked driven less by any single data print and more by the combination of a strong labour market, no clear sign of underlying inflation cooling, and rising geopolitical risk.

“The updated projections (SEP) revised both growth and inflation estimates modestly higher, but the committee's median dot (excluding Warsh) still pencilled in just one more hike for the cycle — well short of what markets had been pricing in. The shorter end yields rose and while longer end remained steady at elevated levels,” said Umesh Sharma, CIO-Debt, The Wealth Company Mutual Fund.

Sharma also said that the markets are increasingly factoring in a Bank of Japan rate hike on September 18, while the Reserve Bank of India is also expected to raise rates in forthcoming meetings, reflecting a broader global tightening trend with seven of the eight developed economies already in a rate-hike cycle.

How did US market close on Wednesday?

US equity market benchmark indices ended lower after their trading session on Wednesday, September 16, as investors reacted to the Federal Reserve increasing its key interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) to the range of 3.75% to 4% for the first time in 3 years, with the central bank citing an overall solid growth in economic activity in the country.

MarketWatch data showed that the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 1.21% lower at 51,461.90 points after the trading session on Wednesday, in comparison to 52,093.11 points at the previous stock market close.

The S&P 500 index ended 0.45% lower at 7,551.81 points after the trading session on September 16, compared to 7,585.73 points at the previous equity market close, as per the exchange data.

In contrast, the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index ended flat but positive, 0.02% higher at 28,945 points, compared to 28,937.84 points at the previous Wall Street close.

Equity investors also reacted on Wednesday’s market against the backdrop of elevated US Treasury yields at record levels and higher crude oil prices due to the rising geopolitical tensions.