This year began on an optimistic note, with expectations that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates significantly. Many economists and market participants projected six to seven rate cuts as inflation continued to cool. However, as the year progressed, inflation struggled to reach the Fed’s target of 2%, leading to decreased bets on rate cuts. Since September, the central bank has lowered rates by 75 basis points (bps), and another 25-bps cut is likely to be announced next week. Bank stocks remained ...