Tech-Led Rally Propels Markets to New Records as Fed Rate Cut Looms

Market Performance - U.S. equities surged on September 18, 2025, with major indexes reaching new all-time highs, driven by a rally in technology stocks [1] - The S&P 500 Index closed up by approximately 0.6% to 0.8%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced by roughly 1% to 1.3%, both hitting new records [2] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.2% to 0.5%, also achieving new record levels [2] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to a target range of 4.00% to 4.25%, marking the first rate cut in nine months [4] - The Fed's "dot plot" projections indicated the possibility of two more rate cuts by the end of 2025, followed by another reduction in 2026, boosting investor confidence [4] Economic Data - Initial jobless claims fell to 231,000, easing concerns about labor market weakness [5] - Manufacturing growth in the mid-Atlantic region was reported to be stronger than anticipated [5] Corporate News - Intel shares soared by 23% to 29.3% following Nvidia's announcement of a $5 billion investment in the chipmaker [6] - Nvidia's stock gained 2.9% to 3.8%, remaining a key driver of the S&P 500's performance [6] - Lyft, Inc. saw its stock rise over 13% due to a partnership with Alphabet's Waymo for autonomous taxi services [7] - Meta Platforms, Inc. shares advanced by approximately 1% to 1.4% after unveiling AI-powered smart glasses [7] - Novo Nordisk's U.S.-traded stock rose by 5.8% after a study indicated significant weight loss from its Wegovy pill [8] Upcoming Events - Investors are expected to monitor upcoming corporate earnings reports, including those from FedEx Corp and Lennar Corp, which could impact market sentiment [10]