📊 Daily Market Moves — U.S. Stock Market Recap

September 17, 2025

Wall Street finished mixed on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time this year, leaving investors to weigh Powell’s cautious guidance against hopes for further easing.

🔹 Major Index Performance

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: +0.57% → 46,018.32

• S&P 500: −0.10% → 6,600.35

• Nasdaq Composite: −0.32% → 22,261.33

• Russell 2000: +0.20%

👉 The Dow surged to new highs, while the Nasdaq slipped as tech stocks sold off.

🔹 Federal Reserve Decision

• The Fed cut rates by 25 bps to 4.00%–4.25%.

• Powell called the move “risk management,” citing a cooling labor market.

• Updated projections showed two more cuts expected in 2025, though policymakers remain divided.

🔹 Stock & Sector Highlights

Winners

• Workday (WDAY): +7% after activist fund Elliott Management revealed a big stake.

• Lyft (LYFT): +13% on news of an autonomous taxi partnership with Waymo.

Losers

• Uber (UBER): −5% as Lyft’s Waymo deal raised competitive concerns.

• Nvidia (NVDA) & Broadcom (AVGO): pulled tech lower, weighing on the Nasdaq.

Sectors

• Financials & Industrials led the gains.

• Technology & Consumer Discretionary lagged.

🔹 Other Markets

• 10-Year Treasury Yield: climbed to ~4.07%

• U.S. Dollar: strengthened after the Fed move

• Gold: eased from record levels

• Oil: drifted lower on demand worries

🔹 Outlook

The Fed’s cut was widely anticipated, but Powell’s tone left markets cautious. Expect volatility as traders digest the Fed’s path forward and upcoming labor and inflation data.

✅ Key Takeaway: The Dow hit fresh highs while tech weakness capped broader gains. All eyes remain on the Fed’s next steps.

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