The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Stocks Amble to Fresh Records on Optimism for a September Rate Cut

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq composite both hit closing highs for a second straight session

Traders working on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
Traders working on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. Photo: brendan mcdermid/Reuters

Investors dialed up bets on Wednesday that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in September, lifting the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite to record closing highs for the second straight day. 

Tuesday’s inflation report showed that price increases held steady in July, and on Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said there was a good chance the central bank could slash rates by half a percentage point next month. In a television interview, Bessent suggested borrowing costs might eventually drop by 1.5 points or more.

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