Cut???

The Fed, led by Ben Bernanke, will announce its rate-cut decision this afternoon. (Getty Images/File)

Hopes of a federal rate cut lift global shares

Stocks in Europe and Asia extended a global rally today as rate-cut hopes bolstered investors. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut rates to 1 percent at the conclusion of its two-day meeting today, according to CNNMoney.com. The policy decision is due to be announced at 2:15 p.m. ET. full story

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