US Equity Markets End Mixed After Fed Chair Raises Doubts Over December Rate Cut

05:01 PM EDT, 10/29/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes closed mixed on Wednesday after comments by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell raised doubts regarding an interest rate cut in December.

* The Federal Open Market Committee cut interest rates by a quarter point Wednesday, setting the benchmark range at 3.75% to 4%, in line with expectations. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said another cut in December is "not a foregone conclusion," noting policymakers held sharply divided views and emphasizing that monetary policy is not on a predetermined path.

* The CBOE Volatility Index, also known as the fear index, rose 3.1% to 16.92.

* December West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $0.25 to settle at $60.40 per barrel, while December Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.45 to $64.85.

* Teradyne (TER) shares rose nearly 20% after the company posted Q3 results late Tuesday that topped Wall Street expectations and issued Q4 guidance that also exceeded analyst projections.

* Fiserv (FI) shares were down roughly 44%, marking the steepest drop on the S&P 500, after the company posted Q3 adjusted earnings and revenue below analyst expectations and lowered its outlook for 2025.

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