U.S. equities declined while Treasury yields climbed as Federal Reserve officials confirmed a second consecutive 25-basis-point rate reduction, signaling a pivot toward monetary easing. The central bank also announced plans to halt asset runoff starting December 1, 2025.
- Federal funds rate reduced to 4.25%–4.50% in second consecutive 25-basis-point cut
- 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.62% following FOMC announcement
- FOMC halted quantitative tightening, stabilizing $9.2 trillion balance sheet
- November nonfarm payrolls increased by 108,000, below forecast of 150,000
- Unemployment rate rose to 4.3% from 4.1% in October
- Market pricing now reflects one rate cut expected in 2026, down from three previously
Stock indices posted losses across the board, with the S&P 500 falling 0.8% and the Nasdaq Composite dropping 1.2% as investors weighed the implications of the Federal Reserve’s latest policy move. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.6%, reflecting broad-based investor caution despite the rate cut. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to reduce the target range for the federal funds rate to 4.25%–4.50%, marking the second consecutive quarter-point reduction. Officials cited a softening labor market, with the latest employment report showing nonfarm payrolls rose by just 108,000 in November, below the 150,000 projected. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3% from 4.1% in October. In a strategic shift, the Fed announced it will cease reducing its balance sheet, which had been shrinking at a rate of $50 billion per month since 2023. The $9.2 trillion portfolio will now remain stable, ending the quantitative tightening phase that began in June 2023. This decision was interpreted as a signal the central bank is prioritizing economic stability over inflation control at this juncture. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury climbed to 4.62%, its highest level since early October, as markets reassessed inflation resilience. Shorter-duration yields also rose: the 2-year note yield jumped to 4.48%, reflecting heightened expectations of delayed rate cuts in 2026. Bond traders now price in only one additional rate cut by year-end 2026, down from three earlier in the month.