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The Federal Reserve is expected to make its first rate cut in just a few short hours, so CNBC Pro took a look at what stocks historically do best immediately after the start of an easing cycle. The S & P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average posted all-time highs during Tuesday’s session as traders prepared for the Fed’s decision, but both indexes ended the day near the flatline. The Fed’s decision to cut interest rates — whether it’s by a quarter- or half-percentage point — has the potential to bolster several individual names, if history is any indication. CNBC Pro searched for the stocks set to gain the most following a Fed rate cut, using data from prior easing cycles going back to 1984. Here is what we used for criteria: S & P 500 member Highest median performance three months after an initial cut These are the top 10 names we came up with. Apple is the only megacap tech stock to surface on this list. The tech behemoth is up more than 12% this year, and it has struggled recently following reports the company’s new iPhone 16 is experiencing weaker demand . Historically, Apple is up about 16% on a median basis three months after an initial cut from the Fed. On average, it has gained nearly 9% during that period. Technology names tended to do well immediately after a Fed rate cut, with digital storage company Western Digital the top-performing stock, and semiconductor equipment company Lam Research the second-best performing one. Three months after a Fed rate cut, Western Digital gained more than 26% on a median basis, while Lam Research advanced more than 22%. Supermarket chain Kroger came up on the list, surging about 16% in the three months after the Fed lowers interest rates. Big-box retailer Target also performed well, up roughly 14% during the period.
