US stocks mixed after Fed's aggressive rates cut

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-30 09:53

Traders in the S&P 500 pit of the Chicago Board of Trade signal orders shortly after the Federal Open Market Committee lowered short term interest rates a half-percentage point to an overall rate of one percent in Chicago, Illinois October 29, 2008. [Agencies]

It was clear from Wednesday's trading that Wall Street is nowhere near moving away from the volatility that has devastated stock prices this month. And many investors are hesitant to re-enter the market after being hit hard -- even with Tuesday's jump, the three major stock indexes are still down more than 30 percent for the year, battered since last month's freeze-up of the credit markets. The troubles with the credit markets have made it harder and more expensive for businesses and consumers to get loans.

While signs have emerged that the government action to revive credit markets is starting to work, investors remain skittish over the effects of the prolonged credit freeze on the economy, which relies on lending to feed growth.

Investors are hoping the latest rate cut will complement the government's still-unfolding efforts to aid the commercial paper market, where companies turn for short-term loans, and the banks themselves. The Treasury Department this week is investing directly in banks, hoping the cash will make them more likely to issue loans.

Wall Street's rally Tuesday helped lift trading in most markets overseas. Japan's Nikkei stock average jumped 7.74 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 8.05 percent, Germany's DAX index slipped 0.31 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 9.23 percent.

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