Wall Street closed flat on Friday, hovering near the previous session's record-high close for the Dow and S&P 500, while the dollar firmed as investors digested the Federal Reserve's 50-basis-point cut midweek that started a rate reducing cycle.

"In other contexts, a larger move may convey greater concern about growth, but Powell repeatedly stressed this was basically a joyous cut as ebbing inflation allows the Fed to act to preserve a strong labor market.

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.