Speculation on New Fed Rate Cut Tempers Losses

Stocks dip early, then tick closer to even ahead of mid-afternoon announcement

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 16, 2008 10:44 AM CDT

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Speculation on New Fed Rate Cut Tempers Losses — Specialist Henry Becker, left, directs trading at the post that handles AIG on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange today. (AP Photo)

Stocks swung upward after big opening losses today, the Wall Street Journal reports, helped by speculation that the Federal Reserve might step in to help AIG and cut interest rates. The Dow, down 155 early, was just barely negative before noon, with a similar pattern from other indices. “We're in uncharted territory,” one funds manager told Bloomberg. “There's no real historic precedent for what we're going through.”

The Federal Open Market Committee is set to announce its rate decision around 2:15pm Eastern, and investors are certain it will be a quarter-point cut. They also believe the Fed will provide a loan for AIG, giving it time to sell assets and regain its footing.
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