Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that the central bank will likely continue with quarter-percentage-point interest rate cuts and is not in a hurry to cut rates quickly. Powell emphasized confidence in ongoing economic growth and consumer spending. The Fed aims to maintain low unemployment and manage inflation towards its 2% target.
Nasdaq rises 1%, Dow, S&P close higher as weak jobs data tempers rate hike bets
U.S. stocks finished higher following a weaker-than-expected jobs report which eased rate hike expectations. Nonfarm payrolls rose by only 29,000, significantly below economists’ forecasts of
October 2, 2026