The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates at its second consecutive meeting on Wednesday, extending an effort to prevent a recent slowdown in hiring from turning into something more serious. ...

Let's talk to uh Goldman Sachs's head of investment credit, Johnny Fine. Nice to have you back here at Post 9 to be here. Thanks for having 25.What else do you think we get in terms of a a sense as to where things stand for uh the year ahead. >> I think we'll get a reaffirmation that there'll be a cut again in December. I think you'll hear that in the press conference.I don't think there's anything that we've learned about the real economy or the labor market that changes the summary of economic projections ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve is anticipated to implement another interest rate cut, reflecting ongoing economic conditions and inflation trends [1] Group 1: Economic Indicators - Recent economic data suggests a slowdown in growth, prompting the Fed to reconsider its monetary policy [1] - Inflation rates have shown signs of easing, which may influence the Fed's decision to lower rates [1] Group 2: Market Reactions - Financial markets are responding positively to the expectation of rate cuts, with increased investor confidence [1] - Sectors sensitive to interest rates, such as real estate and utilities, are likely to benefit from lower borrowing costs [1]

Core Insights - Inflation has risen above the Reserve Bank of Australia's target band, reducing the likelihood of an interest rate cut in November [1] Economic Impact - The current inflation levels indicate a tightening monetary policy environment, which may affect borrowing costs and consumer spending [1]

RT Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine)JUST IN: There's now a 98.4% chance of a 25bps interest rate cut tomorrow, according to Polymarket 🇺🇸Bullish! 🚀 https://t.co/EIFpJM4VlQ ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve is expected to announce a 25 basis point interest rate cut, but faces challenges in determining future monetary policy direction due to differing opinions among policymakers and a lack of economic data [2][3][4]. Group 1: Interest Rate Decisions - Markets are pricing in a nearly 100% probability of a 25 basis point reduction in the federal funds rate, currently targeted between 4%-4.25% [2]. - There is a divergence of opinion among Federal Reserve officials regarding the timing and extent of future rate cuts, with some advocating for immediate cuts while others prefer a more cautious approach [4][7]. - Newly appointed Governor Stephen Miran is likely to support a larger cut, while other regional Presidents have shown reluctance to pursue further reductions [6][7]. Group 2: Labor Market Concerns - Concerns over the labor market are a significant factor driving the Fed's inclination to lower rates, despite a lack of recent data [11][15]. - The chief economist at Wilmington Trust anticipates multiple rate cuts in the coming months, potentially bringing the rate down to a neutral range of 2.75% to 3% [12]. - The Fed's focus on job market stability is heightened, even as inflation remains above the 2% target, with the annual inflation rate reported at 3% in September [15]. Group 3: Data Challenges - The ongoing government shutdown has resulted in a data blackout, complicating the Fed's ability to make informed policy decisions [16]. - The absence of key economic reports, such as the September nonfarm payrolls, adds uncertainty to the Fed's dual mandate of maximizing employment and maintaining price stability [16][17]. - The Fed is expected to communicate uncertainty regarding future policy paths, indicating readiness to adjust rates based on incoming data [17]. Group 4: Balance Sheet Management - The Fed is nearing the end of its quantitative tightening (QT) process, which involves reducing its $6.6 trillion balance sheet primarily composed of Treasurys and mortgage-backed securities [18][19]. - Recent statements from Chair Jerome Powell suggest that the Fed may soon signal the conclusion of QT, as financial conditions show signs of tightening [19][20]. - Market commentary is divided on whether the Fed will announce an immediate end to QT or indicate a future cessation date [19].

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has whittled down his short list of candidates to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to five individuals, he said on Air Force One, The Wall Street Journal reported.  Some have connections to the central bank and the White House, while another is a Wall Street powerhouse.President Donald Trump has kept up his verbal criticism of Powell for not cutting interest rates fast or deep enough, calling the Chairman a "stubborn moron" and "Jerome Too Late Powell", am ...

Corporate Earnings & Market Trends - S&P 500 companies' net profit margins are above their 5-year average for the sixth consecutive quarter, with analysts expecting this trend to continue into next year [1] - The earnings season has been solid, with financials showing strong numbers, particularly from money center banks, driven by trading and investment banking [3] - Industrials are pointing to solid AI infrastructure demand driving their numbers [3] - Tech earnings are expected to be a significant market driver this week [3] - Strong earnings growth is expected heading into next year, with double-digit earnings growth anticipated [12] Economic Factors & Federal Reserve - The market has high expectations for the Federal Reserve to cut rates [4] - A 25 basis points rate cut is largely priced in, with some possibility of the end of Quantitative Tightening (QT) being announced [17] - Markets are starting to price in a third rate cut in January with slightly better than a coin flip probability [20] - Corporate commentary suggests the economic environment remains largely the same, with some caution on hiring but no mass layoffs [15] - The higher-end consumer is holding up well, while the lower-income consumer is struggling with the cumulative impacts of inflation [16] Geopolitical & Trade - Treasury Secretary is confident that they have a framework of a potential deal, which is enough for markets [9] - Removal of trade overhang allows markets to focus on earnings [11][12]

Group 1 - XRP price has increased over 5% since Friday afternoon, indicating a positive trend in the cryptocurrency market [1] - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% from August and 3% year over year, slightly lower than economists' expectations, which may influence Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions [2][3] - The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates, which typically encourages investment in riskier assets like cryptocurrencies [3] Group 2 - Positive geopolitical developments, including a potential meeting between U.S. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, may alleviate trade tensions and positively impact market conditions for cryptocurrencies [4] - Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting for insights on the economy and potential rate cuts, which could further influence the cryptocurrency market [5] - The volatility of XRP is acknowledged, with potential for disruption in international payments, suggesting a cautious investment approach [6]

Core Viewpoint - U.S. stock futures indicate a positive start to the week, driven by optimism in the technology sector and anticipation of Federal Reserve policy changes, particularly regarding interest rates and advancements in artificial intelligence [1][4][14] Premarket Trading and Futures Movements - S&P 500 futures are up 0.78%, Nasdaq 100 futures have increased by 1.15%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up 0.55%, reflecting a bullish sentiment in premarket trading [2] - The positive momentum follows a strong closing of major U.S. market indexes last week, suggesting continued market resilience [3] Current Performance of Major Market Indexes - The S&P 500 recently reached 6849 points, a 0.85% gain from the previous session, a 2.82% increase over the past month, and a 17.61% rise year-over-year [3] - The Nasdaq Composite closed at 23,204.87 with a 1.15% gain, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached 47,207.12, marking a 1.01% increase [3] Upcoming Market Events - The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is anticipated to result in a 25 basis point interest rate cut, lowering the federal funds rate to a range of 3.75% to 4.00% [4] - Key economic reports may face delays due to a government shutdown, impacting the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index and GDP figures [5] Earnings Season Highlights - Microsoft is expected to report strong first-quarter fiscal year 2026 results, driven by its cloud computing and AI divisions [6] Major Stock News and Developments - Apple plans to integrate a vapor chamber into the next iPad Pro and is expanding revenue streams through advertisements in its Maps application, with a "Buy" rating and a price target of $275.00 from TD Cowen [8] - Microsoft faces legal challenges in Australia over alleged misleading pricing related to AI features, but Guggenheim has upgraded its rating to "Buy" with a price target of $586 [9][10] - Nvidia is considering a $100 billion investment in OpenAI, aiming to deploy significant resources for AI infrastructure, while HSBC has raised its rating to "Buy" with a price target of $320 [11] - Tesla reported record EV deliveries in Q3 2025 but experienced a 5% year-over-year decline in production, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.47 trillion [12] - Alphabet's stock is buoyed by positive analyst commentary and advancements in AI, with JPMorgan raising its price target to $300 [13]