When the US Federal Reserve finally hints that the rate hikes are over, it’s usually a sigh of relief for markets as it means money (or rates for borrowing it) isn’t going to get any more pricey. Of course, when rate cuts are hinted, that gets the market even more excited. 

If the Fed does go ahead with a rate cut this September, it won’t just mean cheaper loans in the US. It could set off a chain reaction across stocks, currencies, commodities, and even the fast-moving world of CFD trading. 

So, which areas do analysts typically monitor when the dominoes start to fall? 

Key Points 

• A September Fed rate cut could spark immediate reactions across equities, gold, and technology, with sector leadership shifting in phases. 
• Global flows may be reshaped through the dollar channel, NBFI activity, and portfolio reallocations that amplify volatility. 
• Emerging markets, currencies, and CFDs stand out as highly sensitive to rate moves, where shifts in yields and risk appetite drive outcomes. 

1. Equities: The First and Loudest to React 

History says stocks are usually the first to respond to a Fed pivot. But this isn’t a simple “everything goes up” moment. It’s more like a relay race, where one sector grabs the baton first, then passes it to the next. 

Financials Lead the Charge 

In almost every major easing cycle since 2000, banks and financials have been the first out of the gates. When interest rates drop at the tail end of a slowdown, banks suddenly get a friendlier environment: cheaper funding, more appetite for loans, and less risk of borrowers defaulting. 

Think back to the 2008 crisis or the 2020 COVID shock, the biggest early gains came from banks, insurers, and diversified financial companies. They were priced for disaster, then quickly revalued for survival and recovery. 

This time, they’re starting from a stronger place: bigger capital cushions, cleaner balance sheets. But there’s a catch: lower interest rates can also squeeze net interest margins (the gap between what banks earn on loans and pay on deposits).  

If loan demand stays soft or deposit rates don’t fall quickly, the rally could run out of steam. Financials have often led in past cycles, though future performance will depend on factors such as loan demand and funding conditions. 

2. Gold: The Early Hedge 

Gold often steals the spotlight right after a rate cut. Why? Lower rates make holding gold more attractive compared to interest-paying assets. And if the US dollar weakens (which typically happens in a rate-cutting cycle), then gold, priced in dollars, tends to get a boost globally. 

In early 2020, gold miners more than doubled in five months, far outpacing the S&P 500 Index’s rally. This wasn’t just about fear, it was about profits, as real yields (interest rates adjusted for inflation) turned negative. 

In previous easing cycles, gold has often reprised that role — particularly during periods of uneven inflation expectations. 

3. Tech: The Second Wave 

Once growth expectations turn the corner, tech often takes over. Lower rates make future earnings more valuable in today’s dollars. Lower rates have historically benefited sectors such as software, chipmakers, and internet giants. 

But here’s the nuance: sometimes the rally is narrow (dominated by a few mega-cap stars like the “Magnificent 7”), while other times it spreads to mid- and small-cap growth stocks. Liquidity and business spending trends will decide how big the party is this time. 

Other Sectors to Keep on the Radar 

• Industrials: Can benefit from both cheaper borrowing and government spending. 
• Consumer Discretionary: Gains when confidence (and wallets) open up again. 
• Commodities & Materials: Usually lag gold but can surge if supply constraints meet rising demand. 
• Utilities & Real Estate: Sensitive to rates but performance depends more on where longer-term yields settle. 

How a US Rate Cut Spreads Across the Globe 

In the old-school economics textbooks, rate cuts worked mainly through “interest rate differentials”: lower US rates meant US assets were less attractive, pushing money abroad. 

Today, things are a bit more complicated. 

The “Dollar Channel” 

One of the most powerful modern channels is the dollar channel; how moves in the US dollar directly affect global financial conditions. 

According to Federal Reserve research, a 1% appreciation of the US dollar against the euro during the loan syndication process can increase US leveraged loan spreads by up to 22 basis points ^[1]. 

In plain English, that means a stronger dollar can make corporate borrowing more expensive, influence investors’ appetite for risk, and ripple through asset valuations. 

The kicker? A surprise move in the euro–dollar exchange rate can tighten or loosen US credit conditions, even if the Fed doesn’t touch interest rates. 

The New Heavyweights: NBFIs 

The biggest movers of cross-border money aren’t banks anymore. They’re non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) like asset managers, pension funds, insurers, and hedge funds. 

By late 2024, outstanding foreign exchange (FX) swaps, which cover forwards and currency swaps, reached about $111 trillion, with non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) now the fastest-growing users of these instruments as they hedge globally diversified portfolios ^[2].  

That means when these contracts expire and roll over, any sudden swings in FX rates or interest rates can force large shifts in positions, turbocharging volatility.  

From Banks to Bonds: The Post-2008 Shift 

After the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2007-2009, bank lending across borders slowed sharply. What took its place? A surge of bond investments by portfolio managers searching for yield in emerging markets and other corners of the globe. 

Today, Fed rate cuts can move markets not just by lowering risk-free rates, but by shifting how much risk investors are willing to take. And risk appetite can change a lot faster than fundamentals. 

1. Emerging Markets: The Sensitivity Test 

Emerging markets (EMs) can be the biggest winners or losers, when the Fed changes course on interest rates. 

In 2024, foreign investors injected $273.5 billion into EM equity and bond portfolios, up significantly from $177.4 billion a year earlier ^[3]. But in late 2024, many EM currencies still slid as the strong-dollar narrative held sway ^[4]. 

A September rate cut has, in previous cycles, coincided with: 

• Supporting local currencies: Less dollar pressure means EM central banks can cut rates too. 
• Lowering borrowing costs: Helps governments and companies lower costs on servicing their dollar-denominated debt. 
• Lifting EM equities: Especially in export-driven or rate-sensitive sectors. 

But that comes with one big caveat. Real yield spreads (interest rates after inflation) will matter more than the headline numbers. If US inflation drops faster than in EMs, the advantage may be smaller. 

2. Currencies: The Reactions Aren’t Always Straightforward 

Conventional wisdom says rate cuts weaken the US dollar but history doesn’t always agree. In some cases, the dollar has strengthened after the first cut because investors saw the Fed acting early – boosting confidence in the US economy. 

The EUR/USD Example 

The euro-dollar exchange rate isn’t just a trade story. A stronger euro can actually make US financial conditions easier; a weaker euro can tighten them. That’s why moves in this pair around central bank decisions can sometimes magnify or dilute the Fed’s impact. 

Carry Trades 

A “carry trade” is when investors borrow in a low-yield currency to invest in a higher-yield one. In some past cycles, Fed rate cuts have coincided with: 

• Reduced attractiveness of dollar-funded carry trades. 
• Shifts of capital toward higher-yielding EM currencies. 
• Occasional sudden unwinds when volatility increased. 

And because NBFIs are so active in FX derivatives, these shifts can happen very quickly. 

3. CFDs: When Leverage Meets Volatility 

For long-term investors, a Fed cut is a cycle shift. For CFD traders, it’s a livewire event. 

Leverage Can Be a Double-Edged Sword 

Some forex CFDs offer leverage up to 100:1. Under normal conditions, that’s already risky as a high percentage of retail CFD accounts lose money. Add in the volatility of a policy pivot, and small moves can translate into outsized gains or painful losses. 

Margin Calls Happen Fast 

If your equity-to-margin ratio drops below 50%, most CFD providers will close your position. Around big Fed announcements, price swings can trigger waves of forced selling. 

Each Asset Class Has Its Own Quirks 

• Equity CFDs: Can mirror sector rotation but may be vulnerable if the rally is narrow. 
• Commodity CFDs: Gold may shine; oil might move more on supply-demand headlines. 
• Bond CFDs: Directly hit by rate changes and duration risk is key. 

Final Thoughts: Flows Could Shift with a September Rate Cut 

In past cycles, financials and gold have often shown leadership after Fed pivots, though outcomes can vary depending on the broader environment. Technology has often followed in previous cycles, especially if rate cuts coincide with improving growth. 

But remember, the Fed’s decision will ripple far beyond Wall Street. The dollar channel, global capital flows, and EM sensitivities mean this is a worldwide event. For leveraged traders, the message is even simpler: expect volatility and manage your risk accordingly. 

When the Fed changes course, the market doesn’t just move; it reshuffles. And understanding how markets may reshuffle after a Fed pivot can help traders better appreciate potential risks and opportunities. 

Reference