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Markets Shudder: Rate Cuts, Tech Troubles, and a Sudden Drop

USAThu Dec 19 2024
On Wednesday, the market took a tumble with the Dow Jones losing over 1, 100 points. Surprisingly, this happened after the Federal Reserve announced plans to cut interest rates twice more in 2025. The S&P 500 and Russell 2000 also suffered significant losses, falling below important thresholds. Treasury yields saw a spike, reaching heights not seen since May. Nvidia and Tesla, which had started the day with gains, reversed course. Micron Technology's shares took a hit late in the day due to poor earnings forecasts, adding to the chip sector's problems. The market's losing streak continued, raising worries about a possible government shutdown and the overall economic situation. It's interesting to note that despite the Fed's efforts to boost the market, the tech sector's struggles and weak earnings guidance from major players like Micron Technology contributed significantly to the market's downturn. This highlights the interconnected nature of different sectors in the economy and how issues in one area can ripple through the entire market.

questions

    What factors could cause the Fed's rate cut plans to change despite their projections?
    Is the Bank of Japan's decision to keep rates unchanged actually a secret rate hike?
    How reliable are the Fed's economic growth projections given their recent tendency to undershoot?

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