Stocks little changed after Federal Reserve signals rate cuts to come as growth slows while inflation rises

US stocks stayed largely flat after the Federal Reserve kept rates in a range of 4.25% to 4.5%, as was universally expected, and cut its growth forecast while boosting the outlook for inflation.

The central bank also put out its so-called “dot plot,” which lays out officials’ views on where policy rates will go if the economy unfolds according to their expectations (obviously, a big “if”). The median policymaker thinks 50 basis points of easing will be delivered this year, the same as in March, but now sees less easing to follow in 2026.

Traders were pricing in about 46 basis points of easing through year-end heading into the decision.

A survey performed by Macro Policy Perspectives showed that Fed watchers were roughly split between those who expected the dot plot to signal the median official anticipated one or two cuts this year.

More Markets

See all Markets

Luke Kawa

CoreWeave tumbles on weaker-than-expected Q4 adjusted EBITDA

The neocloud just released quarterly results.

Cloud Based Artificial Intelligence Computing Company CoreWeave Has IPO On Nasdaq Exchange

Max Knoblauch2h

Warner Bros. board deems Paramount’s $31-per-share offer a superior deal, starting four-day countdown for Netflix response

The Warner Bros. Discovery board has determined that Paramount’s latest deal constitutes a superior proposal to the $83 billion agreement it has with Netflix.

The Netflix merger remains in effect, but the determination kicks off a four-business-day window for the streamer to amend its deal to match or beat Paramount’s.

Should Netflix decide to not raise its own offer to a degree the Warner Bros. board determines to be the “Company Superior Proposal,” Warner Bros. would be entitled to terminate that merger agreement.

Netflix is said to have ample cash to increase its own offer for Warner Bros., but it’s yet to be seen how high the company is willing to go. Netflix shares have increased since Paramount boosted its bid, signaling that its own investors aren’t exactly rooting for it to make the purchase.

Warner Bros.’ announcement boosted Paramount’s odds on prediction markets to end up in control of the company. As of 4:40 p.m. ET on Thursday, event contracts speculating on which company will ultimately come out on top of the bidding war have Paramount at a 62% chance over Netflix’s 33% odds.

(Event contracts are offered through Robinhood Derivatives, LLC — probabilities referenced or sourced from KalshiEx LLC or ForecastEx LLC.)

Paramount improved its Warner Bros. offer to $31 per share

(Event contracts are offered through Robinhood Derivatives, LLC — probabilities referenced or sourced from KalshiEx LLC or ForecastEx LLC.)

Matt Phillips

Rocket Lab beats expectations on Q4 sales, per-share loss

Here’s how the numbers looked in the most recent quarter.

Rocket Lab CEO Interview on Neutron Rocket

Grindr rises after beating earnings, revenue expectations

The company reported earnings results on Thursday.

J. Edward Moreno2h

Matt Phillips

Dell soars after beating expectations for Q4 sales and EPS

Here’s how the numbers looked.

Latest Stories

Sherwood Media, LLC produces fresh and unique perspectives on topical financial news and is a fully owned subsidiary of Robinhood Markets, Inc., and any views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of any other Robinhood affiliate, including Robinhood Markets, Inc., Robinhood Financial LLC, Robinhood Securities, LLC, Robinhood Crypto, LLC, or Robinhood Money, LLC.