The pivot from rate hikes in 2022 and 2023 to rate cuts was widely forecast, and a big reason behind the S&P 500's epic 24% return in 2024. Most thought the Fed would continue to put its foot on the economic gas pedal, reducing rates in 2025, too.

The odds of a rate cut at the Federal Reserve's next meeting evaporated after a resilient jobs report for June alleviated concerns about a slowing US economy.

The June jobs report cratered the odds for a July rate cut. Stocks cheered the strong data but dimmer rate-cut views prevented bigger gains.