CORNYVERSE

The headlines are glowing: major U.S. stock indices climbed to new all-time highs for the second consecutive day, fueled by optimism over potential Fed rate cuts. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed the week on a strong note. But beneath this shiny surface, a more complicated story of investor caution was unfolding. Now, a crucial weekend development in U.S.-China relations has added a fresh layer of optimism to the mix, potentially shifting the narrative for the week ahead. Key Takeaways ☑ Record Highs, Hidden Weakness: While large-cap indices like the S&P 500 (+0.5%) and Nasdaq (+0.7%) soared, the small-cap Russell 2000 index fell (-0.8%), signaling a major market divergence. ☑ U.S.-China Thaw?: A 'productive' weekend phone call between the U.S. and Chinese presidents has eased geopolitical tensions, providing a potential positive catalyst for the week ahead. ☑ The "Quality Growth" Shift: Investors are flocking to stable, large-cap companies, p...

The Federal Reserve delivered its first interest rate cut of 2025, but the celebration on Wall Street was short-lived and selective. After a volatile session digesting the Fed's complex message, the U.S. markets closed mixed, with a clear divergence between tech and industrial stocks.   📈 U.S. Market Close Recap (Sept. 17) ☑ Dow Jones: +0.2% (Closed at 34,717.63) ☑ S&P 500: -0.7% (Closed at 4,467.78) ☑ Nasdaq: -1.1% (Closed at 13,712.94) ☑ 10-Year Treasury Yield: Rose to 4.38% ☑ U.S. Dollar Index (DXY): Rose 0.3% The bottom line: The "hawkish cut" spooked tech investors, sending the Nasdaq tumbling while the dollar and bond yields climbed higher. Key Takeaways ☑ The Fed cut the benchmark rate by 25 basis points to a 4.00%-4.25% range, as widely expected. ☑ However, the vote was not unanimous (11-1), with Governor Stephen Miran dissenting in favor of a larger, 50-basis-point cut. ☑ The market's negative reaction was triggered by the...