The rate cut, the Fed’s first in more than four years, reflects its new focus on bolstering the job market, which has shown clear signs of slowing. Coming just weeks before the presidential election, the Fed’s move also has the potential to scramble the economic landscape just as Americans prepare to vote.

Having all but tamed inflation, the Federal Reserve is poised to do something Wednesday it hasn’t done in more than four years: Cut its benchmark interest rate, a step that should lead to lower borrowing costs for consumers and businesses.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate by an unusually large half-point, a dramatic shift after

The Federal Reserve kicked off its campaign to lower interest rates with a larger-than-typical half percentage-point cut, while the Bank of England decided against a second consecutive reduction.

Global investors scooped up equity funds in the week to Sept. 18, anticipating the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut to initiate its long-awaited reduction cycle.

For months, investors have been bracing for a shift in the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, anticipating loosening interest rates to counter potential economic headwinds. But the recent rate cut, a dramatic 50 basis point reduction,