Fed's Interest Rate Considerations: Market Reactions Mixed

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's statements about the uncertainty of a December interest rate cut led to mixed reactions in the stock market on Wednesday afternoon. While the Nasdaq posted a modest rise, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both experienced slight dips.

Traders have scaled back expectations for a December rate cut, adjusting the likelihood to 71%, down from an earlier 90%. Earlier in the day, stocks initially rose after the Fed reduced interest rates by a quarter-point, also announcing a restart of limited Treasury securities purchases.

Despite the shift in expectations, Nvidia's market valuation milestone seemed to offer some market support. Investors remain focused on upcoming earnings results from leading tech giants, including Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Alphabet.