Market Brief 21 October, 2024

Good evening, investors and traders! The markets are showing mixed signals today, with the Nasdaq 100 Index (NDX) up by 0.24% to 20,369.72, while the S&P 500 Index (GSPC) is down by -0.13% to 5,855.45. Several key economic events are influencing the market, including China's decision to cut benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points, which is intended to boost economic recovery. The Federal Reserve is also in focus, with several speeches scheduled this week, including those by Mary Daly, Neel Kashkari, and Raphael Bostic. The upcoming U.S. election is also a major factor, with investors closely watching the race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin is nearing $70,000, fueled by strong ETF inflows and positive market sentiment.