The decision by the Fed's policy-setting committee to cut interest rates for the first time since March 2020 was prefaced by an unusual amount of market uncertainty as to how much the central bank would lower its benchmark rate from a two-decade high of 5.25% to 5.5%, where it has stood since July 2023.

Explore the Fed's recent rate cut and its implications on the economy, highlighting the importance of context and current market trends. Read my macro analysis here.

Indexes rose Thursday as investors digested Wednesday's jumbo rate cut from the Fed and a fall in weekly jobless claims.