The biggest gains, however, tend to come after the Fed begins cutting rates following a stock market panic. Following the first Fed rate cut in March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, the S&P 500 was up over 27% in the next 12 months. Meanwhile, following the rate cut after the Sept. 11, 2001, market crash, the S&P was nearly 21% higher a year later.

The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) is one of the largest investment vehicles in the world, and many investors consider it to be a backbone of their long-term investment strategy. But is now a good time to invest in the S&P 500, or should investors wait for a better opportunity? Here's what you need to know.

The Fed's rate cut won't necessarily slash credit card interest rates, but it could help you get rid of your card debt.

Now that the Federal Reserve has decided on a 0.5-percentage-point cut in interest rates, investors are trying to figure out what it means for financial markets. The Fed’s move Wednesday could help stocks,