Fed-funds futures traders inched closer to an almost 50% chance that the Federal Reserve will cut its benchmark interest rate by May, after Fed governor Christopher Waller told CNBC he sees a possibility of three to four reductions this year.

Wall Street experienced a brief pause following a surge driven by positive bank earnings. Morgan Stanley reported a significant profit rise, resulting in a 3.3% stock increase. UnitedHealth fell after missing revenue estimates.

U.S. government debt rallied for a third session on Thursday, pushing yields to their lowest closing levels in weeks, after Fed governor Christopher Waller opened the door to the possibility of three or four rate cuts in 2025.

US stock futures rose Thursday, lifted by a fresh slew of earnings releases and a revival of Federal Reserve policy-easing bets.Most Read from BloombergThese Homes Withstood the LA Fires. Architects Explain WhyAs E-Bikes Boom in NYC,

Bank of America and Morgan Stanley earnings are out. Follow along for live updates on stocks, bonds and other markets, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite.

A benign reading on inflation calmed fears about a renewal in price pressures and strong bank earnings helped the three major U.S. indexes notch their biggest one-day percentage gain since Nov. 6 on Wednesday.

Wall Street also kept a close eye on comments from Treasury secretary nominee Scott Bessent, who said the US faces an economic crisis if the 2017 Republican tax cuts aren’t extended.

US equity indexes rose this week as easing core inflation rates helped push government bond yields lower, and big banks kicked off the Q4 earnings season on a strong note. * The S&P 500 gained to 5,966.

Donald Trump is expected to elevate Michelle Bowman, a fifth-generation community banker and current Fed governor, as the government’s most influential banking regulator.

Yields on U.S. government debt finished higher on Friday as traders weighed the inflationary impact of possible tariffs from incoming President Donald Trump. Nonetheless, market-based rates still posted their biggest weekly declines since November,

The move is the latest recruiting win for RBC Wealth Management as it continues to lure top talent away from big banks and brokerage firms.

Futures traders are shaking up their bets in the Treasury market after benign inflation data and dovish comments from a Federal Reserve official.Most Read from BloombergThese Homes Withstood the LA Fires.