📝 Executive Summary
The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to raise the benchmark federal funds rate to a range of 3.75% to 4%. The move marks the first rate increase since July 2023, as policymakers aim to combat persistent inflation that remains well above the Fed's 2% target. Following the announcement, the S&P 500 dropped over 1% as investors digested the prospect of further rate hikes before year-end.