Borrowing rates have already fallen in anticipation of a deeper cut in rates. The average 30-year mortgage rate dropped to 6.2% last week to the lowest level in 18 months and down from a peak of nearly 7.8%, according to the mortgage giant Freddie Mac.

Fed chief Powell says the move will shore up the labor market while it's strong. Stocks closed down with traders looking for even more aggressive cuts this year.

U.S. stocks shot higher on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 50 basis points, the high side of estimates for its first cut in more than four years. Citing a "greater confidence" that inflation is moving towards the central bank's 2% target,