US bank stocks soared on Thursday as investors reacted positively to the Federal Reserve's decision to lower the federal funds rate by 50 basis points. The cut, which brings the target range to 4.75-5.00%, marks the start of a new monetary easing cycle aimed at supporting the economy. Despite Fed Chair Jerome Powell's assurances that the US economy remains strong, the move was seen as a preemptive measure to prevent any potential downturns. Leading financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs ( GS ), Capital One, and Citigroup ( C ), all witnessed stock price increases exceeding 3%, while smaller gains were recorded by major banks like Wells Fargo ( WFC ), Bank of America ( BAC ), JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ), and Morgan Stanley ( MS ). The KBW Nasdaq Bank Index, along with indexes tracking large and midsize regional banks, rose by approximately 2%, reflecting widespread investor confidence. Soft Landing Hopes Drive Optimism The recent rate cut has sparked hopes for a repeat of t