Fed Rate Cut and Powell's Hawkish Tone

Eric Criscuolo, Market Strategist at the NYSE, recaps a week where markets pulled back as Tech lost steam and defensive sectors gained ground. The Fed cut rates as expected, but Chair Powell’s hawkish tone cooled hopes for further easing. Political headlines added uncertainty, with Democrats outperforming on Election Day and the Supreme Court questioning Trump-era tariffs. M&A activity surged, led by Kimberly Clark’s $50B bid for Kenvue and a pharma bidding war between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk. Investors now look ahead to key earnings, economic data, and the impact of the government shutdown as the year-end trading calendar tightens.