US markets end higher on Monday

01 Oct 2024 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Monday after the Fed chief suggested the central bank will continue to lower interest rates but stressed the downward path for rates is not on a preset course. Powell said the decision to slash rates by half a percentage point earlier this month reflects the Fed's growing confidence that an appropriate recalibration of monetary policy will maintain strength in the labor market and keep inflation moving sustainably down to the 2 percent target. Powell said, looking forward, if the economy evolves broadly as expected, policy will move over time toward a more neutral stance. The Fed's next monetary policy meeting is scheduled for November 6-7, with CME Group's FedWatch Tool currently indicating a 65.3 percent chance the central bank will lower rates by 25 basis points and a 34.7 percent chance of another 50 basis point rate cut.

On the sectoral front, despite the advance by the broader markets, most of the major sectors ended the day showing only modest moves. Gold stocks saw considerable weakness, however, with the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index tumbling by 2.1 percent. The weakness among gold stocks came amid a decrease by the price of the precious metal. Telecom and semiconductor stocks also saw some weakness on the day, while airline and biotechnology stocks moved to the upside.

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 17.15 points or 0.04 percent to 42,330.15, Nasdaq gained 69.58 points or 0.38 percent to 18,189.17 and S&P 500 was up by 24.31 points or 0.42 percent to 5,762.48.


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