"Stocks Hold Steady as Investors Await Fed's Powell"

Stock futures on Wall Street remained flat as investors awaited comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to gauge the central bank's stance on interest-rate hikes. The S&P 500 futures closed higher for the seventh consecutive day, but cautionary remarks from some hawkish Fed members have tempered optimism about interest rates peaking. Traders are still betting that there won't be a rate hike this year, with some even expecting a rate cut in March. Powell's remarks, along with those of other central bank officials, will be closely watched for insights into the Fed's approach to cooling inflation. Oil prices also slipped, impacting inflation levels, due to concerns about demand from China and the US.