US Rate Cuts Loom as Soft-Landing Hopes Influence Stocks

With interest rate cuts anticipated soon, investors are keenly analyzing economic data to determine if the "soft landing" scenario for U.S. stocks will persist. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's recent comments at the Jackson Hole conference underscored the likelihood of lowering rates starting next month, with a potential 25 basis-point cut. This has prompted market participants to require ongoing evidence of a resilient economy amid cooling inflation.