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 WeekStocks 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. Gold fell about 3.5%, pressured by higher yields and a stronger dollar. Gold has a competition for capital problem with 10-year Treasury Bond yields at about 5.28%. WTI oil declined 1.6% as planned releases of European diesel reserves eased supply concerns. Bitcoin gained approximately 0.9% to around $84,650, while Ethereum slipped 0.3% to approximately $2,676, ending the week essentially flat. When it comes to artificial intelligence, many market experts cannot seem to agree where the technology and industry are headed. AI developments have sparked significant short-term stock market swings and fueled an extended bull market in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes. Advisors and investors face decisions on how to invest to capitalize on the AI boom while addressing sticky inflation and rising interest rates. Now more than ever you need a seasoned and wise financial advisor to navigate today's rapidly evolving and also complex and confusing markets. Someone who will remain calm and knows how to embrace the volatility to invest wisely for the future. If you are not already a valued client of Castle Financial, give us a call at 732-888-4994 for an introduction and second opinion. We advise our valued clients all over the USA. Among my many credentials, I am a Certified Financial Fiduciary always acting in the best interests of our valued clients and also well qualified to knock it out of the park managing assets as a former co-manager of a 5 Star Rated Fund by Morningstar. |
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Source: YCharts.com, October 3, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, September 28 to Friday, October 2. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points. |
Contrasting Economic DataQ2 GDP was revised upward from 1.5 percent to 2.2 percent, flipping the economy’s trajectory over the first half of the year from slowing to growing.8 On the other hand, the latest jobs report showed job growth slowed in September to 29,000 jobs added, a falloff from August’s downwardly revised 133,000 job gain (from 162,000). Jobs added in July were also revised down, reflecting a total well under 200,000 for Q3.9 Also in the mix was last week’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index report, which showed inflation held steady in August at 3.4 percent over the prior 12 months. The Fed’s long-standing target has been 2 percent inflation.8 This Week: Key Economic DataMonday: Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)—Services. Tuesday: Trade Balance. Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan speaks. Wednesday: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Minutes. Consumer Credit. Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Monthly Wholesale Trade. Friday: Consumer Sentiment (U. Michigan Survey). Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid speaks. Source: Investor’s Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar: October 2, 2026. This Week: Companies Reporting EarningsThursday: PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) Friday: Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) Source: Zacks, October 2, 2026 Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice. |
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"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." – Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Wrap Your Sandwiches Before You Eat ThemHere's a simple trick that might change your sandwich game forever. After making a burger, sub, or breakfast sandwich at home, wrap it in food wrapping paper, just like a deli would, and let it sit for 10 minutes before eating. This resting step lets the ingredients come together, soften, and reach a cohesive temperature. It's often the missing step when a homemade sandwich just doesn't hit the way your favorite spot's does. Tip adapted from BuzzFeed10 Let AI Help You Prepare for Difficult ConversationsWhether it's a performance review, a negotiation, or a tough talk with a family member, preparation makes all the difference. Before your next challenging conversation, walk AI through the situation and ask it to help you anticipate the other person's perspective, likely objections, and emotional responses. You can even role-play the conversation in real time, with AI playing the other party. Going in prepared doesn't just reduce anxiety—it makes you a sharper, more empathetic communicator. Tip adapted from CareerTrainer.ai11 |
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Simply talk about it, and you will break it. What is it? Last Week's Riddle: There is a 7-letter word that starts with BR and ends in G, and if you put an E in it, you get an 8-letter word that sounds the same yet has a different meaning. Name these two words. Answer: Braking and Breaking. |
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Red Cardinals Spartanburg, SC, United States |
Footnotes And Sources1. WSJ.com, October 2, 2026 |
Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.
The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. The Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the Nasdaq stock market and considered a broad indicator of the performance of stocks of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.
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