On Thursday, November 8th, U.S. markets ended mixed after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, citing an eased job market and progress toward the 2% inflation target. Optimism over President-elect Donald Trump’s return lifted the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to record highs, with global markets rallying in response.
Financials led declines among S&P sectors, reversing strong gains from the previous session as bank stocks fell sharply.
The Federal Reserve cut rates by 0.25 points to a 4.5%-4.75% range, slowing the pace of easing from September’s 0.5% cut.
In economic data, U.S. initial jobless claims rose to 221,000 in late October, while Q3 nonfarm productivity increased by 2.2% and unit labor costs grew by 1.9%. Wholesale inventories fell 0.2% in September, and natural gas stocks climbed by 69 ...