US markets end deeply in red after Fed delivers another aggressive rate hike

22 Sep 2022 Evaluate

The US markets ended deeply in red on Wednesday after the Fed raised interest rates by another three-quarters of a percentage point and signaled further aggressive rate hikes for the remainder of the year. Citing its dual goals of maximum employment and inflation at a rate of 2 percent over the longer run, the Fed decided to raise its target range for the federal funds rate by 75 basis points to 3 to 3.25 percent. The move marks the third straight 75 basis point rate hike by the Fed and lifts rates to their highest level since early 2008. With inflation remaining elevated, the Fed also said it anticipates that ongoing interest rate increases will be appropriate. Economic projections provided along with the announcement suggest Fed officials expect to raise rates to 4.4 percent by the end of the year, well above the 3.4 percent forecast in June.

Fed officials expect to increase rates to 4.6 percent by the end of 2023 before eventually scaling back rates in 2024 and 2025. On the sectoral front, Airline stocks moved sharply lower over the course of the session, resulting in a 3.4 percent nosedive by the NYSE Arca Airline Index. The index tumbled to a nearly two-month closing low. Substantial weakness was also visible among biotechnology stocks, as reflected by the 2.5 percent plunge by the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index, which hit its lowest closing level in nearly three months. Banking stocks also came under pressure following the Fed announcement, dragging the KBW Bank Index down by 2.1 percent to a two-month closing low.

Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 522.45 points or 1.7 percent to 30,183.78, Nasdaq dropped 204.86 points or 1.79 percent to 11,220.19 and S&P 500 was down by 66 points 1.71 percent to 3,789.93.


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