The U.S. New York stock market fell across the board on December 17 (local time) following the monetary policy announcement by the Federal Reserve (Fed). Although the Fed kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, wariness over the future direction of monetary policy spread, significantly dampening investor sentiment.

■ All Four Major Indices Decline... Nasdaq Plunges 1.35% As of the market close on this day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished trading at 51,493.16, down 506.51 points (0.97%) from the previous session. The S&P 500 index recorded 7,420.13, down 91.22 points (1.21%), while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite closed at 26,021.66, down 354.69 points (1.35%). The Russell 2000 index, composed of small- and mid-cap stocks, also fell 0.60%, joining the downward trend.

■ 'Hawkish Signal' More Critical Than Fed Rate Hold The market focused more on the future policy direction than the Fed's rate freeze itself. Investors simultaneously guarded against the possibility of additional tightening and a delay in the timing of rate cuts, showing movements to reduce their exposure to risk assets.

■ Large-Cap Tech Stocks and Magnificent Seven Decline Across the Board The decline among large-cap tech stocks was particularly pronounced. Nvidia, considered a leading artificial intelligence (AI) beneficiary stock, fell 1.33%, while Apple also slipped about 1%. Tesla showed weakness, dropping more than 2%.

The so-called 'Magnificent Seven' stocks also mostly closed lower. Microsoft fell 3.9%, Meta dropped 5.5%, Alphabet declined 2.6%, and Amazon slipped 3.5%, adding downward pressure to the indices.

SpaceX, which had recently garnered significant market attention, also fell 4.9% as profit-taking sell orders emerged. While it had maintained a sharp upward trajectory since its listing, it underwent a correction for the first time on this day, heightening wariness among some investors.

■ "Inflation and Employment Indicators Are Future Variables" On the morning of December 18 (Korean time), market attention is focusing on further Fed commentary and upcoming economic data releases. In particular, with inflation and employment indicators cited as key variables that will determine the future interest rate path, there are suggestions that stock market volatility could expand in the near term.

[※ This article was written with the assistance of AI based on publicly available market data and various materials, and the final editing and review were conducted by the editorial board. The content included in this article is reference information for investment decision-making and does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell specific stocks or guarantee returns. As information may fluctuate depending on financial market conditions, responsibility for investment decisions lies with the investor.]