Shares of industrial and transportation companies fell after mixed messages from the Federal Reserve.

Fed speakers tempered market optimism about the likelihood of a series of 2024 rate cuts. Hopes that the Fed was set to make at least three rate cuts this year were spurred by statements from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell on Wednesday.

The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week rose to a nine-week high of 221,000. But they remained quite low and didn't show any deterioration in the labor market.

Ford said it was delaying the launch of a three-row electric vehicle until 2027, allowing more time for EV demand to pick up.


Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-04-24 1820ET