As the Federal Reserve kicks off a long-awaited rate cutting cycle, some investors are wary that richly valued U.S. stocks may have already priced in the benefits of easier monetary policy, making it harder for markets to rise much further.

U.S. stocks rose after the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rates by 50 basis points to a range of 4.75% to 5%. That was the first rate cut in over four years that marked the beginning of a monetary-easing cycle in the world's largest economy.

U.S. stock indexes remained stuck in place as Wall Street made few big moves ahead of what’s expected to be the first cut to interest rates in more than four years.

Prospects of a “soft landing,” where the Fed brings down inflation without pushing the economy into recession, have lifted stocks and bonds this year, though signs of a softening labor market have fueled worries that the Fed may be too late in acting to shore up growth.

Stocks were choppy in the lead-up to today's Federal Reserve policy announcement. While the main indexes made a confident move higher after the central bank cut rates by a half-percentage point, a late-day burst of selling pressure sent them into the red at the close.

Some analysts had said the 50 basis point cut was already priced in by the market, but others said it would be positive for emerging markets such as India, bringing greater foreign inflows over time.