CNBC Daily Open: Hoping for a half-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 closed at the flatline after both indexes notched all-time highs earlier in the day. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.2%. Europe's regional Stoxx 600 index closed 0.4% higher, trimming gains earlier in the day.

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 63% chance of a half-point cut priced into Fed futures markets.

AI data centers need investments too
Microsoft, BlackRock, GIP, an infrastructure investor being acquired by BlackRock, and MGX, a tech investor in the UAE, have formed a group called the Global Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Investment Partnership. The group aims to eventually raise $100 billion to invest in AI data centers and energy that can "power it in a sustainable way."

[PRO] Gold sees no signs of slowing
Gold prices have been on a tear. The precious metal's price per