The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up by +1.56%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up by +0.95%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up by +2.60%.

Stocks today are sharply higher, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrials posting new all-time highs and the Nasdaq 100 climbing to a 4-week high.  Stocks have rallied worldwide today after the Fed cut interest rates by an aggressive -50 bp on Wednesday.  The Fed’s -50 bp rate cut and projections for another -50 bp of rate cuts this year have bolstered speculation the Fed will engineer a soft landing and sparked risk-on sentiment for asset markets. Stocks maintained their gains today despite an increase in bond yields after US weekly initial unemployment claims fell more than expected to a 4-month low, a hawkish factor for Fed policy.

US weekly initial unemployment claims fell -12,000 to a 4-month low of 219,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of 230,000.

The US Aug Philadel... Read more