S&P 500 Wavers as Fed Cuts Rates; Tech Gains Offset Fintech Weakness
The S&P 500 closed flat on Wednesday as mixed earnings and Federal Reserve policy shifts created divergent sector movements. Teradyne (TER) led gainers with a 20.5% surge after strong AI-driven test equipment demand, while fintech firm Fiserv faltered on missed estimates.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell tempered expectations for a December rate cut following the anticipated 25-basis-point reduction, causing afternoon volatility. The Nasdaq outperformed with a 0.6% gain, buoyed by semiconductor and data storage plays like Seagate Technologies.
Market participants now weigh resilient tech earnings against macroeconomic uncertainty. The crypto market remains watchful for potential spillover effects as traditional finance navigates shifting rate expectations.