Fed’s First Rate Cut Since 2024 Sparks Market Whiplash – Dow Rallies as Tech Stocks Tumble
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25% to a 4.00%–4.25% range, its first reduction since December 2024, citing a weakening labor market. The Dow rose 0.6%, while the S&P 500 slipped and the Nasdaq fell as Powell’s cautious remarks cooled hopes for rapid easing. Treasury yields and the dollar climbed; gold briefly hit a record before retreating. Nvidia shares dropped on new China curbs, while Workday surged nearly 9% on activist news.