At the close on the New York Stock Exchange, the Dow Jones index fell by 0.86%, reaching a monthly low, the S&P 500 index dropped by 0.72%, and the NASDAQ Composite index fell by 0.49%.
As expected, following the May meeting, the Federal Reserve raised the base interest rate by 25 basis points, to the level of 5-5.25% per annum. During the press conference, Chairman Jerome Powell signaled to the markets that the increase may be the last in the cycle of tightening the regulator's credit and monetary policy.
At the same time, the head of the central bank pointed out that a decrease in the Fed's rate should not be expected until the end of this year. According to CME Group data, 93.4% of analysts expect the rate to be maintained at the current level in June, and by December, almost half of them are pricing in a rate of 4.25-4.5% per annum.
Among the growth leaders of the Dow Jones index components at the end of today's trading session were shares of Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC), which appreciated by 0.71 points (2.34%), closing at 31.24. Quotes for Amgen Inc (NASDAQ: AMGN) rose by 2.58 points (1.13%), ending the trade at 231.89. Dow Inc (NYSE: DOW) securities increased in price by 0.36 points (0.68%), closing at 53.36.
The least gainers were shares of Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), the price of which fell by 3.41 points (3.38%), ending the session at 97.45. Home Depot Inc (NYSE: HD) shares rose by 7.33 points (2.50%), closing at 285.75, and Caterpillar Inc (NYSE: CAT) fell in price by 5.26 points (2.44%) and ended trading at 210.38.
Among the growth leaders of the S&P 500 index components at the end of today's trading session were shares of Ball Corporation (NYSE: BALL), which appreciated by 13.39% to 59.26, Fleetcor Technologies Inc (NYSE: FLT), which gained 7.92%, closing at 223.76, and shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (NYSE: RCL), which rose by 7.16%, ending the session at 71.88.
The least gainers were shares of Paramount Global Class B (NASDAQ: PARA), which fell in price by 28.35%, closing at 16.40. Shares of PENN Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ: PENN) lost 13.65% and ended the session at 26.00. Quotes for Comerica Inc (NYSE: CMA) fell in price by 12.28% to 31.21.
Among the growth leaders of the NASDAQ Composite index components at the end of today's trading session were shares of Qurate Retail Inc Series B (NASDAQ: QRTEB), which appreciated by 74.76% to 7.16, Soligenix Inc (NASDAQ: SNGX), which gained 60.56%, closing at 2.28, and shares of Inseego Corp (NASDAQ: INSG), which rose by 52.66%, ending the session at 0.82.
The least gainers were shares of TOP Financial Group Ltd (NASDAQ: TOP), which fell in price by 79.39%, closing at 17.48. Shares of PacWest Bancorp (NASDAQ: PACW) lost 50.62% and ended the session at 3.17. Quotes for Sensus Healthcare Inc (NASDAQ: SRTS) fell in price by 44.38% to 2.72.
On the New York Stock Exchange, the number of depreciating securities (2,000) exceeded the number that closed with gains (955), and the quotes of 86 shares remained virtually unchanged. On the NASDAQ Stock Exchange, shares of 2,119 companies fell, 1,426 rose, and 163 remained at the previous closing level.
The CBOE Volatility Index, which is based on the trading indicators of options on the S&P 500, rose by 9.54% to 20.09, reaching a new monthly high.
Gold futures for June delivery added 1.09%, or 22.15, reaching $2.00 per troy ounce. As for other commodities, WTI crude oil futures for June delivery fell by 0.09%, or 0.06, to $68.54 per barrel. Brent crude oil futures for July delivery rose by 0.11%, or 0.08, to $72.41 per barrel.
Meanwhile, in the Forex market, the EUR/USD pair remained virtually unchanged at 0.41% to 1.10, and USD/JPY quotes fell by 0.39%, reaching 134.15.
The USD index futures rose by 0.07% to 101.19.
