Current:Home > FinanceS&P 500 and Nasdaq extend rally after Fed cuts rates and hints at more ahead. Dow ends flat-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
S&P 500 and Nasdaq extend rally after Fed cuts rates and hints at more ahead. Dow ends flat
View Date:2024-12-23 16:10:42
U.S. stocks mostly extended their big post-election rally on Thursday, with all three major indexes touching record highs during the session after the Federal Reserve trimmed interest rates.
The Fed lowered its short-term, benchmark fed funds rate by a quarter-percentage point to between 4.5% to 4.75%, down from a 23-year high of 5.25% to 5.5% just a couple of months ago. It was the second straight cut and off the heels of a jumbo half-point cut the last time the Fed met in September.
The blue-chip Dow closed flat at 43,729.34, but the broad Standard & Poor's 500 ended at a record high 5,973.10, up 0.74%. The tech-laden Nasdaq finished up 1.51% at a record 19.269.46.
The 10-year Treasury yield spiked on Wednesday, a bump some economists attributed to worries President-elect Donald Trump would run up the deficit and implement sweeping tariffs that would reignite inflation. But it fell after the Fed's rate announcement. The yield was last down 0.091% on Thursday to 4.335%.
What's the Fed outlook on rates?
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the Fed was “feeling good” about the economy and suggested more small rate cuts were ahead but the pace remains data dependent.
Capitalize on high interest rates: Best current CD rates
"They (the Fed) acknowledge that policy remains restrictive and that further cuts are likely but that the pace of those cuts may slow," wrote James Knightley, chief international economist at Dutch bank ING. "They were reluctant to discuss the 'Trump effect', but here's the risk: slightly firmer growth with more inflationary pressures. And that might lead to a less aggressive rate-cut narrative."
Trump has promised to enact sweeping tariffs and tax cuts, which some economists say could unleash inflation again.
Economists, so far, are split on whether the Fed will pause rate cuts at its next and final meeting of the year in December or squeeze in another quarter-point cut before a possible pause.
Red sweep?What to expect when you're expecting a GOP trifecta
Post-market earnings reports
In between the major news this week that included the election on Tuesday and Thursday's Fed meeting, companies continued to report earnings.
Some highlights after the market closed include:
- Pinterest: Topped third-quarter revenue and earnings estimates but provided a weak fourth-quarter revenue outlook.
- Rivian: Missed third-quarter estimates and lowered its full-year earnings outlook.
- Airbnb: Just topped third-quarter sales estimaes but missed with its earnings.
Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday morning.
veryGood! (32755)
Related
- Jessica Simpson’s Sister Ashlee Simpson Addresses Eric Johnson Breakup Speculation
- Iowa school shooter's parents say they had 'no inkling of horrible violence'
- Post Malone, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megan Thee Stallion, more on Bonnaroo's 2024 lineup
- 'The impacts are real': New satellite images show East Coast sinking faster than we thought
- Georgia public universities and colleges see enrollment rise by 6%
- Rays shortstop Wander Franco faces lesser charge as judge analyzes evidence in ongoing probe
- Why there's a storm brewing about global food aid from the U.S.
- Ex-Green Beret stands with Venezuelan coup plotter ahead of U.S. sentencing on terror charges
- Report: Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence could miss rest of season with shoulder injury
- Post Malone, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megan Thee Stallion, more on Bonnaroo's 2024 lineup
Ranking
- Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas says he was detained in airport over being ‘disoriented’
- Former CNN host Don Lemon returns with 'The Don Lemon Show,' new media company
- 'Poor Things' director praises Bruce Springsteen during Golden Globes acceptance speech: Watch
- Princess Kate turns 42: King Charles celebrates her birthday with rare photo
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Addresses PK Kemsley Cheating Rumors in the Best Way Possible
- Oprah Winfrey denies Taraji P. Henson feud after actress made pay disparity comments
- 'Poor Things' director praises Bruce Springsteen during Golden Globes acceptance speech: Watch
- Christian Oliver's Ex-Wife Says She “Deeply” Feels Love From Actor and Their Kids After Fatal Plane Crash
Recommendation
-
‘Emilia Pérez’ wouldn’t work without Karla Sofía Gascón. Now, she could make trans history
-
Colts owner Jim Irsay being treated for severe respiratory illness
-
Japan earthquake recovery hampered by weather, aftershocks as number of people listed as missing soars
-
Donald Glover, Caleb McLaughlin play 21 Savage in 'American Dream' biopic trailer
-
Judge weighs the merits of a lawsuit alleging ‘Real Housewives’ creators abused a cast member
-
Christian Oliver's Ex-Wife Says She “Deeply” Feels Love From Actor and Their Kids After Fatal Plane Crash
-
Japan earthquake recovery hampered by weather, aftershocks as number of people listed as missing soars
-
Former Pakistani prime minister Khan and his wife are indicted in a graft case