Stock Market Investors Just Got Bad News From the Federal Reserve. History Says a Big Drop Could Follow.

The Federal Reserve now expects at least one interest rate increase in 2026, reversing earlier expectations for rate cuts. Historical data shows that the previous four rate-increase cycles since 1999 coincided with stock market corrections, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declining an average of 10% and 15% respectively in the three months following the first rate hike. Higher interest rates reduce stock valuations and increase borrowing costs, potentially pressuring equities.