Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Wall Street Sets New Records Then Pauses as Rate‑Cut Bets Firm on CPI and Jobless Spike

Fresh inflation and jobless readings strengthened expectations for the Fed to cut rates next week.

Overview

  • After Thursday’s surge to record closes for the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq, U.S. stocks were mixed on Friday as traders looked to the Sept. 16–17 Fed meeting.
  • August consumer prices rose 0.4% from July and 2.9% year over year, a monthly reading slightly above forecasts that investors still viewed as compatible with easing.
  • Weekly jobless claims climbed to 263,000, the highest since 2021, reinforcing signs of a cooling labor market.
  • CME FedWatch showed a strong majority expecting a 25 basis‑point cut next week, while 10‑year Treasury yields hovered around 4.02% to 4.06%.
  • Market drivers included Oracle’s jump on bold cloud targets and a Wall Street Journal–reported roughly $300 billion OpenAI deal, Warner Bros Discovery’s rally on takeover reports, and Paris stocks edging higher as investors awaited a Fitch review of France’s rating.