Global Demand for Yuan Loans and Bonds Surges as China Pushes Currency Internationalization 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Tech Rally Offsets Consumer Weakness 
Yen Slides as BOJ Caution Undercuts Rate Hike Impact 
RBA Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Trump Defends Economic Record in North Carolina as Midterm Election Pressure Mounts 
Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
China Keeps Benchmark Lending Rates Steady as Economic Outlook Remains Cautious 
German Exports to the U.S. Decline Sharply as Tariffs Reshape Trade in 2025 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy Shares Support MOEX Index 
Oil Prices Ease in Asia as Geopolitical Risks Clash With Weak Demand Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
Gold Prices Surge to Record Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
EU Approves €90 Billion Ukraine Aid as Frozen Russian Asset Plan Stalls 
U.S. stocks ended lower on Tuesday as concerns over the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran-backed militants in Lebanon, raised market uncertainties. Reports of rising tensions in the Middle East prompted investor caution, impacting several sectors.
Energy and Defense Stocks Gain
Energy stocks rose alongside oil prices, which settled 2.4% higher. Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) gained 2.3%, boosted by the rise in oil prices. Defense companies also saw gains, with Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) climbing 3% and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) increasing 3.6%. The S&P 500 aerospace and defense index reached a record high, and utilities stocks were up by 0.8%.
Airline Stocks and Market Volatility
In contrast, airline stocks dropped, reflecting the risk-averse market mood. Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) fell 1.6%. While major indexes managed to recover some ground before closing, investors remained cautious amid global uncertainties.
“If we do see further escalation, I could see continued market weakness because we just don't know how far this is going to go," said Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Index Performance
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: Fell 173.18 points, or 0.41%.
- S&P 500: Lost 53.73 points, or 0.93%.
- Nasdaq Composite: Dropped 278.81 points, or 1.53%.
Economic Indicators and Upcoming Reports
The CBOE Volatility Index, Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” saw an uptick. Economic data released Tuesday showed U.S. job openings rebounded in August, while the Institute for Supply Management reported that manufacturing activity stood at 47.2 in September, slightly below expectations of 47.5.
Investors are closely watching upcoming economic reports, including U.S. jobless claims on Thursday and monthly payroll data on Friday. According to CME Group’s (NASDAQ: CME) FedWatch Tool, there are varying views on the potential for a Federal Reserve rate cut in the coming months.
Market Volume and Breadth
Trading volume on U.S. exchanges was higher than average, reaching 13.16 billion shares compared to the 11.98 billion average over the last 20 trading days. On the NYSE, declining issues outnumbered advancing ones by a 1.32-to-1 ratio, and on the Nasdaq, the ratio was 2.36-to-1 in favor of decliners. The S&P 500 recorded 51 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite saw 75 new highs and 137 new lows.
