Markets Hold Steady as Fed Signals Patience on Rates

Markets ended the day mostly flat after the Fed held interest rates steady and Jerome Powell signaled no urgency to resume cuts. The S&P 500 briefly crossed the 7,000 mark before fading, while the Nasdaq managed a modest gain. Treasury yields and the dollar were steady, and gold surged past $5,300, reflecting cautious investor sentiment. Tech earnings after the bell became the next focal point, as Fed policy took a backseat—for now.

Key Headlines & Market Movers:

• Fed on Hold, Signaling Patience: The FOMC voted 10-2 to keep rates unchanged at 3.5%-3.75%, with Powell emphasizing stabilization in the labor market and “clear improvement” in the economic outlook. Despite dovish dissents, Powell avoided giving timelines for cuts. The tone suggests the Fed is comfortable waiting for more data, especially with inflation still elevated and economic activity strong. Rate cuts remain likely later this year, but not imminently.

Market Rotation and Tech Earnings Take Center Stage: Following a tech-led rally, the S&P 500 hit a new high before pulling back. Microsoft and Meta posted mixed after-hours results: Meta jumped on strong revenue guidance despite higher AI-driven capex, while Microsoft dipped. Tesla rose on better-than-expected profits. Big tech remains central to market direction, especially as investors look for clarity on AI monetization and capital spending trends.

Dollar Strengthens, Gold and Commodities Rally: The dollar gained 0.4% as Treasury Secretary Bessent praised its strength. Meanwhile, gold surged nearly 4%, past $5,300, suggesting underlying caution despite stable equity markets. Oil also rose 1.6%, driven by optimism about global growth and tight supply conditions. The move in precious metals could reflect concerns about inflation persistence and geopolitical risks.

Corporate Shifts Highlight Diverging Outlooks: Earnings and corporate developments painted a mixed picture. Texas Instruments and IBM beat expectations, signaling potential recovery in industrial and enterprise spending. On the flip side, Amazon and Home Depot announced job cuts amid organizational restructuring and weak housing trends. Health insurers remained under pressure after CMS proposals, while names like Starbucks and AT&T surprised to the upside.

S&P 500 Sector Performance

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Looking Ahead

While the Fed remains on pause, the easing bias is still intact, setting up a potential pivot by mid-year if inflation continues to moderate. For now, markets are shifting focus to earnings and sector rotation, particularly in tech, industrials, and consumer names. Investors should stay attentive to productivity trends, capital investment plans, and signs of broadening participation beyond megacap tech. With risks balanced and growth still resilient, staying invested remains the favored play.

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