Stock Market Rally: Investors Await Fed Decision
Wall Street Rebounds After a Significant Stock Market Rally Sell-Off
On Monday, US stocks bounced back following a significant downturn, with investors eagerly anticipating an eventful week that includes the Federal Reserve’s policy decision and Apple’s (AAPL) earnings report.
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) recovered 1.20% by the closing bell, having recently entered a correction phase. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) surged over 1.60%, gaining more than 500 points after a 1.20% drop in its previous close.
Optimism Surrounds Upcoming Fed Decision
The Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting, beginning on Tuesday, is expected to result in a decision to keep rates unchanged. There is a 75.00% chance that the Fed will pause its hiking campaign this year. The rapid rise in Treasury yields is a significant factor in maintaining current rates. As of Monday afternoon, the 10-year yields were 4.88%, slightly down from last week’s 4.90%.
Stocks Trending in Afternoon Trading
Some of the stocks leading Yahoo Finance’s trending tickers page in afternoon trading on Monday include:
- McDonald’s (MCD): The fast-food company exceeded earnings expectations in the third quarter, with increased menu prices driving sales growth and resulting in stocks rising by over 2.00% during Monday afternoon. Same-store sales also witnessed a significant 8.80% increase, surpassing analysts’ projections of 7.79%.
- Western Digital (WDC): The company announced it would split into two separate publicly traded firms. Therefore, the manufacturer of computer drives rose more than 6.00%.
- SoFi Technologies (SOFI): Shares of the personal finance company climbed as much as 10.00% after raising its outlook for the year. The company expects to turn a profit for the fourth quarter.
- Tesla (TSLA): Shares of the all-electric vehicle maker fell 4.00% following a disappointing forecast from ON Semiconductor, an automotive chip maker whose shares plunged nearly 20.00%.
Trending Stocks: The Companys’ Earnings Exceeded Estimates
The focus is currently on the US central bank and Apple, the largest company within the S&P 500. Market participants anticipate a boost in sentiment from these key factors following a challenging few months for the stock market. Additionally, the US jobs report for October, scheduled for release on Friday, is under close scrutiny.
In the commodities market, crude oil prices declined due to Israel’s restrained approach to the conflict in Gaza, reducing concerns of wider Middle East escalation and prompting investors to reenter the markets. West Texas Intermediate futures (CL=F) dropped by approximately 3.60% to $82.50 per barrel, while Brent futures (BZ=F) decreased by about 3.00% to trade at approximately $87.84 per barrel. Market participants perceived this drop in oil prices as a favourable development.
Stock Management: Significant Market Week
Investors appear cautiously optimistic as the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates looms large. Wall Street expects the Fed to keep rates steady, but the announcement could still have a significant impact on the stock market rally. Additionally, Apple’s earnings report is highly anticipated, especially in the context of concerns about China’s constraints on iPhone use.
Furthermore, McDonald’s strong performance indicates the resilience of the US consumer, who continues to spend despite high borrowing costs. The company’s earnings exceeded estimates, with same-store sales seeing a notable 8.80% increase.
This week is significant for the markets, with key events and reports set to shape the investment landscape in the coming days.
