U.S. stocks end lower as Fed signals no hurry to resume interest-rate cuts
U.S. stocks finished lower on Wednesday after the Federal...
U.S. stocks finished lower on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve left its policy interest-rate target unchanged for the first time since delivering its initial rate cut in September.
At first, stocks declined after the Fed's decision was announced following the conclusion of the central bank's two-day January policy meeting. Major indexes added to their losses from earlier in the day.
The S&P 500 and Dow touched their lowest levels of the session as investors appeared to focus on language in the latest Fed policy statement that removed a reference to inflation steadily returning to the central bank's 2% target.
However, after taking the podium, Powell quickly clarified that this change wasn't intended as a policy signal, and stocks soon reversed. While major indexes still finished lower, they ended well off their session lows. And declines weren't nearly as severe as what followed the Fed's December policy meeting.
"After the market fireworks that followed the December meeting, when the committee pulled back on rate-cut expectations, this was a steady message of neutrality that should be received OK by markets," said Scott Helfstein, Global X's head of investment strategy, in emailed commentary.
Here's where major indexes finished up, according to FactSet data:
The S&P 500 was off by 28.39 points, or 0.5%, at 6,039.31.
The Nasdaq Compositefell by 101.26 points, or 0.5%, to 19,632.32.
The Dow Jones fell by 136.83 points, or 0.3%, at 44,713.52.
The Lunar New Year begins today, marking the start of...
The Lunar New Year begins today, marking the start of the Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese zodiac. The 15-day celebration, observed by millions across Asian communities worldwide, begins with the new moon and concludes with the Lantern Festival on Feb. 12. China anticipates 9 billion trips during the 40-day travel period, the world’s largest annual human migration.
The snake—the sixth animal in the 12-year zodiac cycle—symbolizes wisdom, growth, and transformation. People born in snake years are traditionally regarded as charismatic, intelligent, and creative, but also strategic, mysterious, and stubborn. The wood element adds qualities such as growth, flexibility, and charm. Notable figures born in snake years include Chinese President Xi Jinping, former US President John F. Kennedy, and Taylor Swift; see which zodiac animal you are here.
Calif. bill would make oil firms pay for climate disasters
A newly proposed California bill would allow victims and insurers to...
A newly proposed California bill would allow victims and insurers to sue oil and natural gas companies for compensation for damages resulting from climate change-related disasters. The Western States Petroleum Association opposes the bill, saying it scapegoats the industry without addressing systemic issues.
U.S. trade deficit in goods is wider than it’s ever been
The U.S. posted a record trade deficit in good in 2024,...
The U.S. posted a record trade deficit in good in 2024, spotlighting what is likely to be constant eye sore under the second administration of President Trump as it aims to encourage more production domestically.
The U.S. deficit in goods totaled $1.2 trillion last year, slightly above the prior record set in 2022, the government reported Wednesday.
Trump has promised to raise tariffs sharply on other countries to reduce imports and try to lure more companies to make their products in the U.S.
“There will be no better place on Earth to create jobs, build factories, or grow a company than right here in the good old USA,” Trump said in a virtual speech to global political and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland last week.
The president took the same hard-as-tacks approach in his first term, but the trade deficit continued to rise as it done under every president since Jimmy Carter.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's order yesterday to pause funding for all federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance just minutes before the directive was scheduled to go into effect. The block lasts until Monday afternoon and sets a hearing for arguments that morning.
The White House's order intended to temporarily halt trillions of dollars in aid to initiatives including education, healthcare, child care, disaster relief, housing assistance, and small businesses. The Office of Management and Budget sent a two-page memo and an 836-page spreadsheet to federal agencies Monday night, asking them to provide details about their spending programs.
Separately, Trump is reportedly offering buyouts to federal workers who don't want to return to the office as long as they resign by Feb. 6.
