Market Recap: Dow Hits New Highs on Rate Cut Hopes
The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached new highs on Tuesday, with a surge of 703 points or 1.7%. This record-breaking performance was fueled by optimism surrounding forthcoming interest rate cuts. The rally extended beyond technology stocks, with the small-cap-focused Russell 2000 rising by 3.4% and the S&P 500 adding 0.6%.
Industrial bellwether Caterpillar saw a 4% increase, making it the second-biggest gainer in the Dow, while UnitedHealth surged over 6% on better-than-expected second-quarter results. Financials also performed well following strong earnings reports from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley.
The market rotation from mega-cap tech stocks into small-cap and cyclical stocks began last week after a report showed the lowest inflation in three years. Traders are now predicting a 100% chance of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September, which is expected to benefit small caps and industrials more reliant on borrowing costs.
Notably, AI companies like Nvidia and Microsoft saw declines on Tuesday, as investors shifted focus towards other sectors. Retail sales data further supported the belief that the economy is on track for a soft landing, with June sales meeting or exceeding expectations.
Overall, investors are optimistic about the market’s performance, with many seeing the rotation into different sectors as a positive sign for the economy. The strong performance of various stocks and indices indicates a broadening of the bull market beyond the tech sector.
