Fed rate cut outlook: What to expect in October & December

Group 1 - Treasury Secretary Scott Besson has confirmed five finalists to succeed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, with President Trump expected to make a decision by year-end [1] - The market is currently focused on the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting and the state of the labor market, rather than the selection of the new Fed Chair [2][3] - There is an expectation that the Fed will cut interest rates this week, with attention on guidance for future meetings, particularly December [5][6] Group 2 - The labor market is showing signs of slowing, but consumer data remains strong, indicating resilience in the economy [8][10] - Earnings reports from companies are generally positive, with net profit margins for S&P 500 companies above their five-year average for six consecutive quarters [21][22] - There is optimism regarding job growth and capital expenditure outlook, with expectations for a broadening of economic activity beyond just healthcare and AI sectors [15][31] Group 3 - The US and China are reportedly moving towards a framework for a potential trade agreement, which could positively impact both economies [17][20] - Corporate earnings season is ongoing, with high expectations for tech earnings and a focus on how markets will respond to these results [26][30] - The Federal Reserve's interest rate cut is anticipated, with discussions around the end of quantitative tightening gaining traction [32][35]