CNBC Daily Open: Hoping for a 50-basis-point cut

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe  here .

From high to flat
On Tuesday, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average were unchanged after both indexes notched all-time highs earlier in the day. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.2%. Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed Wednesday. Japan's Nikkei 225 hovered around the flatline as data showed the country's imports and exports growth for August missed expectations.

What to expect from the Fed
The Federal Open Market Committee meeting wraps up Wednesday U.S. time, and the Federal Reserve will announce its decision on monetary policy. CNBC's Jeff Cox breaks down what to expect from the meeting – and what else investors should pay attention to, such as the "dot plot" of FOMC members' rate predictions, and their economic projections.

Fed expected to cut 0.25%, says survey
The Fed will cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point, according to 84% of the 27 respondents CNBC polled. Just 16% think there'll be a decrease of half a percentage point. The survey respondents comprise economists, fund managers and strategists. By contrast, there's a 65% chance of a half-point cut priced into Fed futures markets.

Factors shaping the global economy
Founder of Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio spoke at the Milken Institute's Asia Summit in Singapore, listing the top five forces shaping the global economy. They are: debt, money, and the economic cycle; internal order and disorder, referring to U.S. politics; geopolitical conflicts; extreme weather events and pandemics; technology.

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