Federal Reserve Nukes U.S. Stock Market

The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank deeper into the history books on Wednesday, with the storied index on track for its 10th straight losing day following a disappointing rate outlook by the Federal Reserve.The Dow lost 1077 points, or 2.5%, its biggest loss since August and on track for its worst losing streak since an 11-day slide in 1974. The 30-stock average posted a nine-day losing streak on Tuesday, its longest since 1978. The S&P 500 lost 2.5% and the Nasdaq Composite shed nearly 4% with losses increasing into the close.The central bank reduced its overnight borrowing rate by a quarter point to a target range of 4.25% to 4.5%, as expected. However, the Fed indicated it would only cut rates twice in 2025, fewer than the four cuts given in its last forecast. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank’s move to cut rates in recent months allows it to “be more cautious as we consider more adjustments to our policy rate.”The odds of a rate cut at the Fed’s next meeting in January fell to just 11%, according to fed funds futures trading via the CME FedWatch tool. Before Wednesday, traders were hoping the Fed would stay aggressive with rate cuts in 2025, fueling the bull market further. Treasury yields jumped following the Fed’s cautious outlook, pressuring share prices. The 10-year Treasury yield crossed above 4.50%.