2 Stocks to Bolster Your Portfolio as September Rate Cut Appears Imminent

• Fed left rates unchanged yesterday, but the path ahead remains data-dependent.
• While the markets appear to be almost certain about a September cut, it's good to prepare for any eventuality.
• In this piece, we'll take a look at 2 stocks that you can add to your portfolio ahead of September.
• Unlock AI-powered Stock Picks for Under $8/Month: Summer Sale Starts Now!

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady yesterday as widely expected, but offered little clarity on the timeline for potential cuts.

While the central bank maintained a cautious stance, citing recent economic data, market expectations for a September rate reduction remain strong, with probability at 87% at the time of writing.

Amid the Fed's dovish tilt, the stock market rallied, buoyed by a generally positive earnings season thus far. Major indices climbed, with the S&P 500 posting a 1.58% gain.

S&P 500 Price Chart

While the Fed's decision to maintain rates was unsurprising, the path forward remains uncertain. Upcoming inflation and GDP data for July and August will be crucial in determining the central bank's next move.

However, current trends suggest at least two rate cuts before the end of the year.

Fed Rate Probability

As the Fed prepares to embark on a rate-cutting cycle, certain sectors and stocks are poised to benefit. Below, we'll explore two stocks to prepare your portfolio for the changing economic landscape.

1. Qualcomm

Qualcomm's (NASDAQ:QCOM) stock price surged over 8% yesterday after the company beat Q2 earnings expectations.

Revenue climbed to $9.39 billion, surpassing forecasts by $180 million, while earnings per share reached $2.33, exceeding estimates by $0.08. This strong performance has halted a recent downtrend and presents a potential buying opportunity.

Qualcomm Price Chart

A 12% year-over-year increase in processor and smartphone modem sales further bolsters Qualcomm's outlook. Technical analysis indicates a potential breakout from a resistance level near $200, which could propel the stock toward its historical high around $230.

2. Mastercard

Mastercard (NYSE:MA), like Qualcomm, released its quarterly results yesterday, once again surpassing expectations in revenue and earnings per share. This continues its impressive streak of beating quarterly consensus.

With consistently rising revenues and robust net earnings, Mastercard remains an attractive and solid choice for stabilizing portfolios, especially if the Fed maintains its restrictive monetary policy.

Forecast Vs. Actual Earnings

Source: InvestingPro

The company's continued positive trend is underpinned by an 11% quarter-on-quarter increase in payment transaction volume on the Mastercard platform.

CEO Michael Miebach expressed his satisfaction, stating,

"We achieved another strong quarter in all aspects of our business, posting double-digit growth in net revenues and profits."

During yesterday's session, Mastercard's stock price surged by more than 3.6%, potentially marking the end of the correction and signaling a return to upward momentum.

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Disclaimer: This article is written for informational purposes only; it does not constitute a solicitation, offer, advice, counsel or recommendation to invest as such it is not intended to incentivize the purchase of assets in any way. I would like to remind you that any type of asset, is evaluated from multiple perspectives and is highly risky and therefore, any investment decision and the associated risk remains with the investor.