Stocks get a boost after Federal Reserve makes emergency rate cut

By DAMIAN J. TROISE
NEW YORK — Stocks got a boost Tuesday after the Federal Reserve made an emergency cut to interest rates in hopes of shielding the economy from the effects of the fast-spreading coronavirus.
The S&P 500 was down as much as 1.3% in the first half hour, but it shot up to a gain of 1.5% after the Fed’s announcement, then was up 0.6% in mid-morning trading.
The index had surged 4.6% Monday in anticipation of moves by the Fed and other central banks to support the g