U.S. stocks experienced a significant decline on Friday, marking a steep weekly loss as investors reacted to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's indication that interest rate cuts would not be expedited. The S&P 500 fell by 1.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 0.7%, and the Nasdaq Composite led the downturn with a 2.2% drop. This decline follows a post-election rally that is now losing momentum, as optimism surrounding President-elect Donald Trump's policies begins to fade.
The market's reaction to Powell's hawkish comments has been swift, with Wall Street grappling with the implications of a slower pace of interest rate cuts. The S&P 500 has lost over 2% for the week, while the Dow and Nasdaq have also recorded significant declines. Powell's remarks suggest that the economy's strength allows the Fed to be cautious, which has led to a reassessment of rate cut expectations among traders.
Recent economic data has shown resilience in consumer spending, with October retail sales rising by 0.4%, surpassing expectations of 0.3%. This increase, coupled with a revision of September's sales to 0.8%, indicates a robust consumer base. However, the market's focus remains on the Fed's future actions, with traders now pricing in a 62% chance of a rate cut in December, down from 72% the previous day.
The stock market's decline has also been influenced by political developments, particularly the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services. This announcement has raised concerns among investors, particularly in the vaccine sector, leading to significant drops in shares of companies like Moderna and Pfizer. Analysts are wary of the potential implications of Kennedy's appointment, given his controversial views on vaccines.
As the market adjusts to these developments, investors are keeping a close eye on upcoming earnings reports, particularly from major players like Nvidia, which is set to report next week. Additionally, the market will be watching for further announcements from the Trump administration regarding cabinet appointments and economic policies. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the trajectory of the stock market as it navigates through economic uncertainty and political changes.
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