Stocks Erase Gains Amid Tech Rout, Powell Remarks: Markets Wrap
- Fed signals rates will stay near zero for at least three years
- Powell: not sure if faster-than-expected rebound will continue
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Stocks erased gains amid a selloff in giant technology companies and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s remarks over an uncertain economic rebound without further stimulus.
The S&P 500 initially jumped as the Fed signaled it would hold rates near zero through at least 2023. The rally quickly fizzled out after Powell said he’s not sure if the faster-than-expected recovery will continue. A tumble in tech behemoths such as Apple and Facebook also dragged down the gauge. The Treasury yield curve steepened as the U.S. central bank stopped short of offering new specifics on its approach to the monthly bond purchases that have buttressed markets. Some traders might have been expecting signals regarding plans to target longer maturities.