US markets cool off as everyone waits on the Fed
US stocks pulled away from their record highs on Monday—the S&P 500 slipped 0.3%, Dow Jones dropped 0.3%, and Nasdaq edged down 0.1%.
Investors are holding their breath for the Federal Reserve's big meeting, where a rate cut of 25 basis points is expected.
Why does this matter?
When the Fed cuts rates, it can make borrowing cheaper and shake up everything from student loans to stock prices—so even if you're not trading stocks, these moves ripple out.
Plus, with inflation still above target and job growth slowing, everyone's watching how the Fed balances things.
Big moves in corporate land
Company news kept things interesting: Berkshire Hathaway shares dipped after some leadership changes, while Netflix fell 4.3% thanks to Paramount Skydance making a bold bid for Warner Bros Discovery (which jumped 4.9%).
Paramount Skydance's own stock also soared as takeover rumors heated up.