Market Overview - U.S. stocks closed mixed with the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 0.6% to 46,018.32, while the S&P 500 decreased by 0.1% to 6,600.35 and the Nasdaq fell by 0.3% to 22,261.33 [1] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4.00%-4.25%, ending a nine-month pause and marking the fourth reduction in the current easing cycle [2] - Policymakers projected faster rate cuts ahead, lowering their 2025 outlook to 3.6% from 3.9%, while upgrading GDP forecasts and acknowledging persistent inflation pressures [2] Company Stock Performances - **Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. (CBRL)**: Stock fell by 3.16% to $49.59, with a significant after-hours decline of 9.28% to $44.99 following a mixed fourth-quarter earnings report that missed earnings per share estimates [3] - **D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS)**: Stock surged by 18.98% to $22.54, reaching a new 52-week high of $22.85 during the Qubits Japan 2025 conference [4] - **IonQ Inc. (IONQ)**: Stock rose by 5.11% to $65.44, hitting an all-time high of $66.39, with a notable after-hours spike of nearly 7.2% to $70.13 after a deal with the U.S. Department of Energy [5] - **Krispy Kreme Inc. (DNUT)**: Stock increased by 0.96% to $3.15, rising almost 3.8% to $3.27 in after-hours trading after FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed his purchase of the stock [6] - **Broadcom Inc. (AVGO)**: Stock dropped by 3.84% to $346.17, but spiked 1.3% to $350.70 in after-hours trading following the expansion of its partnership with Lloyds Banking Group [7] Stock Rankings - Cracker Barrel stock has a Momentum ranking in the 74th percentile according to Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings [8]

If people were expecting the Federal Reserve to give us fireworks, they were sorely disappointed. Fed chief J. Pal is not giving hyperbole.He's trying to balance price stability with job growth. And right now, the risk tilt against the ladder. As Pal told us today, the labor market is really cooling off.So, the widely expected quarter point rate cut made a ton of sense. But the market was all over the place after we got this widely telegraphed news. Dow gaining 260 points, SME dipping.1%, NASDAQ declining.3 ...

Monetary Policy - Federal Reserve Chairman Powell indicated a 25 basis point rate cut was a more appropriate choice given downside risks to employment, describing it as "risk management" [1] - The Federal Reserve emphasized the importance of future non-farm payroll data while acknowledging the pressure of economic slowdown [1] Economic Factors - Tariffs are causing commodity prices to rise, but the Federal Reserve expects this to be a one-time event and aims to ensure it remains so [1]

Company Performance - Uber Technologies (UBER) shares fell by 5% following the announcement of a partnership between Waymo and Lyft to launch robotaxi services in Nashville, which increased Lyft's shares by over 13% [5][9]. - Insulet (PODD) shares decreased by 3% after the announcement of a CFO transition, although the company expects third-quarter revenue growth to exceed prior expectations due to strong customer additions [6]. - Workday (WDAY) stock surged by 7.3% after activist investor Elliott Investment Management disclosed a stake worth more than $2 billion, expressing confidence in the company's management and operational plans [10]. Market Overview - The S&P 500 index ended with a slight loss of about 0.1% after the Federal Reserve announced a quarter-percentage-point reduction in benchmark interest rates, with the Nasdaq down 0.3% and the Dow up 0.6% [3][8]. - Stocks related to the home building sector experienced declines despite the Fed's interest rate cut, as home builder confidence remained at its lowest level since December 2022, with Builders FirstSource (BLDR) losing 5.6% and Mohawk Industries (MHK) dropping 4% [4]. Sector Movements - Hologic (HOLX) shares increased by 7.7%, marking the top performance in the S&P 500, following reports of renewed acquisition discussions with investment firms Blackstone and TPG [7]. - Fox Corp. (FOXA) shares gained around 3% as Lachlan Murdoch solidified his leadership, with plans to attract younger audiences through new initiatives [11].

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Fed faces a challenge in addressing a scenario in which inflation remains high while the labor market weakens. Key Takeaways Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the Federal Reserve is not guaranteed to repeat Wednesday's interest-rate cut. The Fed is caught between its missions to keep inflation low and employment high, and both are moving in the wrong direction. Powell said the Fed would cut rates further only if economic data indicated that was the right move, brushing of ...

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points to a range of 4%-4.25%, marking the first rate cut of the year [2][3] - The decision saw 11 out of 12 FOMC members in favor, with dissent from Stephen Miran who advocated for a 50 basis point cut [3] - The Fed acknowledged risks in the labor market, indicating a slowdown in job gains and a slight increase in the unemployment rate, while inflation remains elevated [4] Group 2 - The Summary of Economic Projections indicated a median forecast for two additional quarter-point cuts this year, with a close margin of 10-9 [4] - The projections also showed expectations for higher GDP and core PCE inflation for the next year compared to previous forecasts, alongside a lower unemployment rate [5] - Fed Chairman Powell described the rate cut as a "risk-management cut," suggesting a cautious approach moving forward [6] Group 3 - Market reactions included a selloff in stocks and bonds following Powell's press conference, with the S&P 500 ending down 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite down 0.3% [8] - The 10-year Treasury yield briefly fell below 4% but ended at 4.07%, while the 2-year yield rose to 3.55% [9] - Following the rate cut, a strategist identified six stocks as potential buys, including Alexander & Baldwin, Heritage Insurance, and Merck [9]

Well, a quarter point cut was the vote of 11 of the 12 voters. The loan to center was brand new Fed Governor Steve Myin. He wanted a half point.That's not as much as our next guest. Joining me now is David Zervos. He's chief market strategist at Jeffre and the CNBC contributor.He's been saying they should have cut 75 basis points at today's meeting. Has a met with the Trump administration about the Fed chair nomination. David, good to see you.So, I'm I'm trying to figure out how far off from the range are y ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve is expected to initiate a series of interest rate cuts starting in 2025, with projections indicating a decline that may continue into the third quarter of 2026 [2][3][4] Interest Rate Cuts and Market Expectations - The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has reduced the fed funds target rate by 0.25% to a range of 4% - 4.25% [3] - Financial markets anticipate a steady decline in the fed funds rate, potentially bottoming out just below 3% by the end of 2026 [4][10] Impact on Households - Lower interest rates will affect American households in two significant ways: reduced income from investments and lower payments on loans such as mortgages [5][6] - The average yield on money market funds is currently 4.08%, which is favorable compared to the inflation rate of 3.1% [7][8] Money Market Funds Outlook - As the Fed reduces interest rates, yields on money market funds are expected to decline, potentially falling below 3% by late 2026 [9][10] - The current inflow into money market funds, which exceeds $7.3 trillion, may reverse as yields decrease [8] Yield Curve Dynamics - An inverted yield curve has led to higher yields on short-term bonds compared to longer-term bonds, driving inflows into money market funds [11] - A return to a positively sloped yield curve is anticipated, making longer-term bonds more attractive as front-end rates decline [12][14] Mortgage Market Implications - Lower interest rates are expected to facilitate cheaper borrowing, particularly for mortgage refinancing, with average 30-year mortgage rates dipping below 6.5% [16][17] - Increased mortgage refinancing activity is anticipated as homeowners take advantage of lower rates, which are more closely correlated with the 10-year Treasury yield [17][18] Overall Economic Impact - The net effect of lower interest rates is viewed positively, as they provide cheaper borrowing costs while also reducing income from short-term investments [20][21] - The favorable environment for equities and other risk assets is also a significant consideration for investors [22]

However, Mr Powell said his colleagues’ forecasts were “subject to uncertainty” and insisted monetary policy was “not on a pre-set path”.Markets are anticipating another couple of cuts from the Fed by the year’s end, with more to follow in 2026. In its statement announcing the September rate cut, the Fed said only that it would “carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks”. About half the Fed’s rate-setters expect another two or more quarter-point cuts this year, taking th ...

Howard Schneider with Reuters. So, um, as you mentioned a minute ago, some margins of the job market would suggest that the slides already happening. Black unemployment rate in August was above 7%.Uh, declining work week, difficulty among co college graduates finding work, high rising youth unemployment. Why do you think a quarter percentage point now is going to arrest that. Well, I I hadn't say that I thought a quarter point would make a huge difference to the economy, but you got to look at the whole pat ...