Fed-funds futures traders inched closer to an almost 50% chance that the Federal Reserve will cut its benchmark interest rate by May, after Fed governor Christopher Waller told CNBC he sees a possibility of three to four reductions this year.

Wall Street experienced a brief pause following a surge driven by positive bank earnings. Morgan Stanley reported a significant profit rise, resulting in a 3.3% stock increase. UnitedHealth fell after missing revenue estimates.

U.S. government debt rallied for a third session on Thursday, pushing yields to their lowest closing levels in weeks, after Fed governor Christopher Waller opened the door to the possibility of three or four rate cuts in 2025.

US stock futures rose Thursday, lifted by a fresh slew of earnings releases and a revival of Federal Reserve policy-easing bets.Most Read from BloombergThese Homes Withstood the LA Fires. Architects Explain WhyAs E-Bikes Boom in NYC,

Bank of America and Morgan Stanley earnings are out. Follow along for live updates on stocks, bonds and other markets, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite.

A benign reading on inflation calmed fears about a renewal in price pressures and strong bank earnings helped the three major U.S. indexes notch their biggest one-day percentage gain since Nov. 6 on Wednesday.

Wall Street also kept a close eye on comments from Treasury secretary nominee Scott Bessent, who said the US faces an economic crisis if the 2017 Republican tax cuts aren’t extended.

Stocks, bonds and the dollar saw small moves, with Treasury secretary nominee Scott Bessent appearing before Senate.Most Read from BloombergThese Homes Withstood the LA Fires. Architects Explain WhyChicago Agency Pitches $1.

Stocks struggled to make headway after a solid rally, while bond yields dropped on dovish remarks from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller.

Futures traders are shaking up their bets in the Treasury market after benign inflation data and dovish comments from a Federal Reserve official.Most Read from BloombergThese Homes Withstood the LA Fires.

Wall Street paused, with stocks ending little changed. Strong bank earnings keep rolling in and Trump's Treasury pick fields Senate questions.

NEW YORK: Wall Street’s main indexes took a pause on Thursday after a surge in the previous session, helped by a batch of bumper earnings from major banks, while investors assessed data to gauge the outlook for interest rate cuts this year.