US Futures, APAC Stocks Gain After Fed's First Rate Cut of 2025

US equity-index futures gained, suggesting investors are regaining confidence after the Federal Reserve's decision to lower borrowing costs, even as questions linger over the path of future policy moves. Contracts for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 advanced around 0.4% in early trading Thursday, after the underlying benchmarks posted minor declines following the central bank's announcement. Stocks climbed to record highs this week as investors priced in a 25-basis-point cut ahead of Wednesday's meeting. While the Fed followed through, officials stressed policy will be decided "meeting by meeting" and warned "there's no risk-free path" ahead. Even so, policymakers now see two additional quarter-point cuts this year, which is one more than what was projected in June. We get reaction from George Schultze, Founder and CEO at Schultze Asset Management.

Meanwhile, Chinese focused ETFs rose overnight to provide a modest tailwind for Asian peers, despite US stocks and bonds slipping after the FOMC decision. For more on what's driving markets in the Asia-Pacific, we get the views of Stephanie Leung, Chief Investment Officer at StashAway.

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