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Weekly Market Insights | Tech Under Pressure After Hot Inflation Reports

Stocks were under pressure last week as corporate earnings results, rising oil prices, and AI valuation anxieties unsettled investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 1.95 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 4.48 percent. By contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.67 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.96 percent.^1,2

Tough Week for Tech

Markets traded in a tight range over the first two days of the week as investors awaited a slew of Q3 corporate earnings results, mostly from big financial services companies, later in the week. That first batch of earnings announcements came in Tuesday, with mostly strong results, but high investor expectations kept markets from moving much.³

Then midweek, investors appeared to rotate out of AI names as they digested a warm retail inflation report. Those two factors shifted sentiment, and stocks trended lower. However, the Dow Industrials proved more defensive, ending the session essentially flat.⁴

On Thursday, AI stocks were under pressure again as investors appeared to favor more value-oriented names.⁵

As the week wrapped up, oil prices rose to their highest level since May, while sellers targeted AI- and tech-related names. The Nasdaq found some support at the close but still had its worst week since June.⁶

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, October 16, 2026

2. Investing.com, October 16, 2026

3. CNBC.com, October 13, 2026

4. WSJ.com, October 14, 2026

5. CNBC.com, October 15, 2026

6. WSJ.com, October 16, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Wall Street Finishes Strong in Complicated Week

Stocks ended last week higher after an up-and-down week where a kitchen sink of economic, geopolitical, and AI-related events competed for investors’ attention.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.15 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 0.64 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.93 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 0.45 percent.^1,2

A Choppy Advance

Stocks opened higher to start the week, demonstrating continued resilience despite rising Treasury yields. Stocks continued their climb on Tuesday as cooler yields prevailed and oil prices treaded water. AI chipmakers led the broad market higher, with the S&P 500 closing above 7,800 for the first time and the Nasdaq also notching a record close.^3,4

Then markets stumbled midweek, opening lower on Wednesday after Treasury yields hit fresh multidecade highs. However, stocks rebounded after an encouraging 10-year Treasury auction appeared to allay some fears, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq reversing the lion’s share of declines by the closing bell.⁵

Jitters crept back into market sentiment as stocks opened lower Thursday. The Nasdaq closed down nearly 1½ percent, its biggest one-day decline since mid-August.⁶

Stocks rebounded Friday to finish the week strong, with megacap tech stocks rallying and oil prices falling on news of a deal to supply diesel to U.S. and global markets. Healthcare stocks also contributed to the gains as the Nasdaq logged its fourth consecutive weekly gain.⁷

As the Fed Turns

Three things happened on Wednesday that made the Federal Reserve’s job a bit more complex as it weighs its decision on interest rates at its next meeting later this month.

Yields on both the bellwether 10-year Treasury note and the 30-year Treasury bond hit new 24-year highs, which contributed to mortgage rates reaching a near-three-year high. However, a well-received auction of 10-year Treasury notes seemed to suggest that buyers believed yields would eventually fall again.⁸

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, October 9, 2026

2. Investing.com, October 9, 2026

3. CNBC.com, October 5, 2026

4. CNBC.com, October 6, 2026

5. WSJ.com, October 7, 2026

6. CNBC.com, October 8, 2026

7. CNBC.com, October 9, 2026

8. WSJ.com, October 7, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Nasdaq Record, Jobs Report Face Off in Mixed Week

Stocks ended last week mixed as a tug-of-war between strong economic data, cooler job growth, and decades-high Treasury yields played out.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged down 0.27 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.45 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.26 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 1.81 percent.^1,2

A Mixed Week

Stocks fell at the start of the week as Treasury yields continued to rise. They steadied over the next session with Treasury yields still in the spotlight. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield topped 5.29 percent, up 133 basis points from its year-to-date low in late February.^3,4

Markets perked up midweek after a revision to Q2 GDP showed the economy grew faster than originally estimated. Quarterly earnings results for a large semiconductor also supported markets, while rising oil prices kept enthusiasm in check.^5,6

After a soft jobs report, stocks opened higher on Friday, with investors wondering whether the Fed would adjust rates at the end of the month. The AI trade roused once again to lead the Nasdaq to a fresh intraday record and end the week on a high note.⁷

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, October 2, 2026

2. Investing.com, October 2, 2026

3. CNBC.com, September 28, 2026

4. CNBC.com, September 29, 2026

5. WSJ.com, September 30, 2026

6. CNBC.com, October 1, 2026

7. WSJ.com, October 2, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | CPI Holds Steady; Investors Await Fed Action

Stocks fell over a shortened trading week as higher oil prices rattled investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 0.80 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 0.66 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.57 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, skidded 1.39 percent.^1,2

Sluggish Start

Stocks fell in response to higher oil prices at Tuesday’s opening bell as investors returned from the long Labor Day weekend. Investors kept one eye on diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and another on fresh inflation reports due out later in the week.³

Stocks were under pressure again on Wednesday as oil prices continued climbing. After the Treasury Department announced it was tripling its long-dated debt buyback program (to as much as $6 billion), the yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to a 3-year high. Investors continued to fret over inflation as the week progressed, putting further pressure on stocks.^4,5

On Friday, stocks rebounded after news that annualized inflation held steady in August, puzzling some who expected stocks to decline. Oil prices fell, and markets rebounded to finish a tough week on an upbeat note.⁶

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, September 11, 2026

2. Investing.com, September 11, 2026

3. CNBC.com, September 8, 2026

4. CNBC.com, September 9, 2026

5. CNBC.com, September 9, 2026

6. WSJ.com, September 11, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Mixed Week for Markets, Mixed Signals from Fed

Stocks were mixed last week as markets continued to navigate geopolitical concerns and new signals about short-term interest rates.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged up 0.09 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.40 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.27 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, skidded 0.25 percent.^1,2

Summer’s Final Act

Stocks fell modestly, and oil prices rose at the start of the week after renewed tensions in the Middle East put investors on edge. Longer-maturity Treasury bond yields also rose, adding pressure on stocks.³

Stocks remained under pressure as global bond yields rose, with traders fretting that higher oil prices would stoke broader inflation. Benchmark government bond yields for the U.S., Germany, and Japan hit 20-month, 15-year, and 30-year highs, respectively.³

But midweek, stocks rebounded after Fed Governor Christopher Waller suggested that the Fed might leave interest rates unchanged at its meeting later this month. Each major average gained 1 percent or more.^4,5

Before Friday’s opening, the Labor Department’s nonfarm payrolls report showed job growth was stronger than expected in August. Stocks were under pressure all day as traders saw the job report as a reason that the Fed might consider adjusting rates later this month.⁶

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, September 4, 2026

2. Investing.com, September 4, 2026

3. CNBC.com, September 1, 2026

4. CNBC.com, September 2, 2026

5. CNBC.com, September 3, 2026

6. WSJ.com, September 2, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Stocks Have Best Week in Four Months

Stocks bolted ahead last week as investors cheered the last big week of Q2 corporate reports and a Friday jobs update that put the spotlight on the Fed’s next move with short-term rates.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 3.57 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 5.19 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 2.32 percent.^1,2

Best Week in Nearly 4 Months

Stocks opened the week strong as oil prices slid on news of diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Big Tech led, which helped push the Dow Industrials to a record close.³

Investor optimism continued to build on Tuesday as stocks opened higher and climbed throughout the day. Strong Q2 corporate reports added fuel to the rally, lifting all three averages into a second day of robust gains.⁴

Markets opened higher on Wednesday but lost momentum as the day progressed. On Thursday, oil prices crept higher, and stocks went sideways as investors awaited updates on the Middle East and digested the final big trove of Q2 corporate results.^5,6

Then, on Friday, an unexpected contraction in the labor market boosted stocks as investors hoped the jobs data might influence the Fed’s outlook for short-term rates.

Each major average logged its best weekly gain since mid-April.⁷

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, August 7, 2026

2. Investing.com, August 7, 2026

3. CNBC.com, August 3, 2026

4. CNBC.com, August 4, 2026

5. CNBC.com, August 5, 2026

6. CNBC.com, August 6, 2026

7. WSJ.com, August 7, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Stocks Have Best Week in Four Months

Stocks bolted ahead last week as investors cheered the last big week of Q2 corporate reports and a Friday jobs update that put the spotlight on the Fed’s next move with short-term rates.

Best Week in Nearly 4 Months

Stocks opened the week strong as oil prices slid on news of diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Big Tech led, which helped push the Dow Industrials to a record close.³

Then, on Friday, an unexpected contraction in the labor market boosted stocks as investors hoped the jobs data might influence the Fed’s outlook for short-term rates.

Each major average logged its best weekly gain since mid-April.⁷

Footnotes And Sources

Weekly Market Insights | Stocks Rally After Fed Hold

Stocks pushed through another volatile summer week as diverging Q2 corporate reports and the Fed’s rate decision whipsawed prices.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.05 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.59 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.04 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 2.13 percent.^1,2

Tech Stocks Steal Spotlight

Chip stocks were under pressure at the start of the week as investors fretted over fresh competition from China and higher-than-expected AI capital expenditures. But the Dow pushed higher as oil prices slid and investors rotated out of technology.^3,4

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve said it was holding interest rates steady, a move that was initially well received by markets. But as the day progressed, selling picked up as investors expressed concern that the Fed was not doing enough to battle inflation.⁵

Markets rebounded on Thursday with semiconductors and big-tech names leading the way. The Nasdaq rose nearly 3 percent, ending its 6-day losing streak.^6,7

Momentum from Thursday’s rally extended into Friday. Markets rose at open despite diverging Q2 earnings results from two influential tech companies. While it wasn’t a straight line, all three major averages built on gains throughout the day to end the week higher.⁸

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, July 31, 2026}
^{2. Investing.com, July 31, 2026}
^{3. CNBC.com, July 27, 2026}
^{4. CNBC.com, July 28, 2026}
^{5. WSJ.com, July 29, 2026}
^{6. CNBC.com, July 30, 2026}
^{7. WSJ.com, July 30, 2026}
^{8. CNBC.com, July 31, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Inflation Retreats; Chips Stumble

Stocks fell last week as the chip-stock trade entered a selloff phase, despite upbeat news on inflation.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.55 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.90 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.93 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 0.80 percent.^1,2

Chip Stocks Under Pressure

Renewed tensions in the Middle East gripped investors as the week kicked off. Stocks slid broadly as oil prices climbed.³

On Tuesday, investors cheered news of the first drop in consumer inflation in six years. The following day, an unexpected drop in wholesale inflation prompted investors to rethink the Fed’s next move on short-term interest rates.^4,5

But on Thursday, the S&P 500 opened lower as chip stocks dragged the broader market lower once again.⁶

As the week wrapped up, the S&P lost over 1 percent on Friday, while the Nasdaq fell 1.4 percent as investors appeared to rotate out of chip stocks and other tech names in favor of other sectors.⁷

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, July 17, 2026}
^{2. Investing.com, July 17, 2026}
^{3. CNBC.com, July 13, 2026}
^{4. WSJ.com, July 14, 2026}
^{5. CNBC.com, July 15, 2026}
^{6. CNBC.com, July 16, 2026}
^{7. CNBC.com, July 17, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Chip Rally Lifts the Week

Stocks largely advanced over a V-shaped week as the AI trade, led by chip stocks, pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq averages higher amid renewed conflict.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.23 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.74 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.50 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 1.42 percent.^1,2

Tech-Led Rise Past Geopolitical Concerns

Stocks rose to start the week, with the Dow hitting another record close and the Nasdaq climbing more than 1 percent as investors shook off valuation concerns that plagued AI stocks over the past few weeks.³

The Dow hit a new intraday high on Tuesday before its two-day slide, along with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, through the week’s lows midday Wednesday. That said, the Nasdaq eked out a slight gain on Wednesday after chip stocks recovered.^4,5

After hitting its midweek bottom, stocks climbed through the end of the week. Chip stocks led the rally, pushing higher amid continued Middle East conflict, even as reports emerged that mediators were trying to get the U.S. and Iran back to the negotiating table. A handful of big tech names led the broad market’s rise to finish the week strong, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each gaining more than 1 percent on Friday.^6,7

A ‘Family Fight’, Vexed by Inflation

Minutes from the Fed’s June meeting were released on Wednesday and revealed a Fed divided and unsure of how to proceed without more inflation data.

Fed officials offered opposing arguments at the meeting about whether to raise or lower interest rates. Fed Chair Warsh called the debate a “family fight” and gave little forward guidance on where the next decision was leaning, adding they would continue to assess “incoming information” on inflation.⁸

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, July 10, 2026}
^{2. Investing.com, July 10, 2026}
^{3. WSJ.com, July 6, 2026}
^{4. CNBC.com, July 7, 2026}
^{5. CNBC.com, July 8, 2026}
^{6. CNBC.com, July 9, 2026}
^{7. CNBC.com, July 10, 2026}
^{8. CNBC.com, July 8, 2026}