Fed Emergency Rate Cut
The Federal Reserve slashed the Federal funds rate 75 basis points, from 4.25% to 3.5%, in a surprise move ahead of their scheduled meeting next week. This, on top of the earlier 50 basis point move, was in response to what the Fed described as the worsening economic conditions, which were evidenced over the weekend by the sell-offs in the foreign markets. The sell-offs were an expression of concern by the overseas markets about the ongoing credit problems and possible recession looming in the US. The US stock markets opened with the Nasdaq down 4% shortly after the opening, while…