Stock Market Rallies on Fed Cut Signals, Nvidia News
U.S. stock Market experienced a significant rally on Thursday, with all three major indices closing higher. This surge was fueled by the Federal Reserve’s indication of a potential path to further interest rate cuts in 2026. Investor optimism was further bolstered by cooling inflation data and a substantial boost in the tech sector.
This positive momentum was primarily driven by news that chip giant Nvidia is considering evaluating its rival Intel for the manufacturing of its next-generation processors. The combination of these dual catalysts propelled the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to their best closing levels in over a week.
Fed Projects More Rate Cuts Amid Cooling Inflation
Following its September meeting, the Federal Reserve released its updated economic projections, providing a much-anticipated glimpse into its future policy. While the central bank held interest rates steady this month, as expected, its revised “dot plot” was the key focus for investors. The projections showed that a majority of Fed officials now anticipate at least three quarter-point rate cuts in 2026, a more aggressive easing stance than previously forecast.
This dovish signal comes as new economic data shows inflation is continuing to recede. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated a further slowdown in price pressures, giving the Fed more confidence that its campaign of monetary tightening has been effective. In a press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated the committee’s data-dependent approach but acknowledged the “good progress” being made toward their 2% inflation target. For more detailed analysis, you can read the Fed’s official press release on the Federal Reserve’s website.
Nvidia’s Endorsement Sends Intel Stock Soaring
The tech sector provided the day’s second major catalyst after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang confirmed his company is evaluating using Intel Foundry Services (IFS) for future chip production. This is a massive vote of confidence for Intel, which has been investing billions to build out its foundry business—a service that manufactures chips designed by other companies.
- Why It Matters: For years, Nvidia has relied almost exclusively on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to build its world-leading GPUs. For Nvidia to publicly consider using its longtime rival Intel as a manufacturing partner is a landmark shift. It signals that Intel’s advanced process technology is becoming competitive at the highest level.
- The Market Impact: The news sent Intel’s stock (INTC) soaring over 8%, while Nvidia’s stock (NVDA) also rose more than 4%. The development is seen as a major step in diversifying the global semiconductor supply chain, a key issue highlighted in a recent Bloomberg analysis.
Market Reaction: A Broad-Based Rally
The combination of a more dovish Fed and positive tech news fueled a broad market rally.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 215 points, or 0.6%.
- The S&P 500 rose 1.1%.
- The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite led the gains, climbing 1.5%.
The rally was widespread, with technology and interest-rate-sensitive sectors like real estate and consumer discretionary performing particularly well.
Key Takeaways:
- Fed Signals Cuts: The Federal Reserve’s new “dot plot” shows a consensus for at least three interest rate cuts in 2026.
- Inflation is Cooling: The Fed’s optimistic outlook is supported by recent CPI data showing a continued slowdown in inflation.
- Nvidia Endorses Intel: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang confirmed his company is considering using Intel’s foundry to manufacture future chips, a major strategic development.
- Tech Sector Surges: The Nvidia-Intel news caused both stocks to jump and fueled a wider rally in the technology sector.
- Market Closes Higher: All three major U.S. stock indices the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq posted strong gains on the news.
Also read, Fed Rate Cut : How It Affects Your Loans.
FAQs:
The dot plot is a chart released quarterly that shows where each of the 12 members of the Fed’s policy committee expects the federal funds rate to be in the coming years. It provides a visual guide to the central bank’s interest rate outlook.
A semiconductor foundry is a factory where silicon wafers are turned into integrated circuits (chips). Companies like Nvidia and Apple design their own chips but pay foundries like TSMC—and now potentially Intel—to manufacture them.
It’s significant because Intel and Nvidia are historic rivals. Nvidia’s willingness to use Intel’s manufacturing services is a powerful validation of Intel’s turnaround strategy and could help re-establish the U.S. as a leader in cutting-edge chip production.
Lower interest rates generally stimulate the economy by making it cheaper for businesses and consumers to borrow money. The prospect of future rate cuts is often bullish for the stock market as it can lead to higher corporate profits and makes stocks appear more attractive relative to bonds.
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- Secondary/LSI Keywords:
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Image & Media Suggestions
- Images:
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Improvement Summary
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Jason Brooks is a senior financial journalist and market analyst at ReadBitz.com, where he serves as a trusted guide to the fast-paced and complex world of stocks and finance. With a sharp eye for market trends and a commitment to data-driven reporting, he delivers daily news and analysis designed to empower investors, traders, and business leaders with the clarity needed to navigate the global economy.