Stocks advanced last week as the broad market looked past inflationary pressures and focused on falling oil prices, declining bond yields, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Choppy TradingStocks bolted out of the gate to start the week, rebounding thanks to AI stocks, falling oil prices, and bond yields. The Nasdaq hit a record intraday high during Monday’s session. The broad market went sideways on Tuesday as traders kept an eye on developments in the Middle East, while oil prices and Treasury yields slid further.3,4 Markets then fell midweek amid investor concerns over comments from one Fed official and two inflation updates. All three major averages were under pressure. The malaise hung on into Thursday, but stocks began to climb late in the day on upbeat reports out of the Middle East.5,6 All three major averages continued their recovery Friday, ending the day with some momentum going into the close.7 For the week ending September 25, 2026, U.S. bonds fell as yields rose sharply: the 10-year Treasury yield climbed from 5.01% to 5.17%. Gold lost about 2.8%, while oil fell roughly 6% as supply concerns eased. The U.S. dollar strengthened by about 0.8%. Bitcoin gained about 4% to $84,000, despite pulling back from a midweek high above $86,000. Ethereum rose about 3% to $2,694. Crypto’s gains contrasted with the pressure higher yields put on bonds and gold. With rising bond yields and real rates, a Fed rate hike. rising oil prices, wars raging in Iran and Russia/Ukaine and the Clarity Act failure, the markets have thrown the kitchen sink at Bitcoin over the last 4 to 5 months. 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, September 26, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, September 21 to Friday, September 25. 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. |
Eyes on BondsTreasury yields hit multidecade highs last week due to a couple of factors. The first was Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr’s hawkish language on Wednesday, suggesting he was open to another rate adjustment at the October Fed meeting. And the second was the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reports for both manufacturing and services, which were also released on Wednesday. Both reports showed costs hit four-year highs for the month.8 This Week: Key Economic DataTuesday: S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Consumer Confidence. Job Openings & Labor Turnover. Fed speeches: Austan Goolsbee (Chicago) & John Williams (NYC). Wednesday: ADP Employment Report (private sector). Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Q2 (third estimate). Trade Balance in Goods. Wholesale & Retail Inventories. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index. Fed President Goolsbee speaks. Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)—Manufacturing. Construction Spending. Friday: Employment Report. Factory Orders. Source: Investor’s Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar: September 25, 2026. This Week: Companies Reporting EarningsWednesday: Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) Thursday: Nike, Inc. (NKE) Source: Zacks, September 25, 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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"The problem with putting two and two together is that sometimes you get four, and sometimes you get twenty-two." – Dashiell Hammett |
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The Galápagos Islands: Where Adventure Meets PurposeIf you're looking for a trip that's as meaningful as it is memorable, the Galápagos Islands deserve a spot at the top of your list. This remote Pacific archipelago offers a rare blend of active exploration and natural wonder, guided by expert naturalists who bring the islands' incredible ecosystem to life. A cruise is one of the best ways to experience the Galápagos, though land-based options with daily yacht excursions offer a more relaxed pace. For travelers who care about conservation and sustainability, few destinations in the world feel quite as inspiring. Tip adapted from TravelandLeisure.com9 Cook a New Recipe Together Every WeekThe kitchen is one of the best classrooms a family has. Pick a new recipe each week and assign everyone a role, from washing vegetables to measuring ingredients to plating the final dish. Kids who help make their food are far more likely to eat it, and the skills they pick up along the way will serve them for life. Rotate who gets to choose the recipe and watch your family's culinary curiosity grow week by week. Tip adapted from TheEveryMom.com10 |
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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. Last Week's Riddle: They are captured by mud and snow, left behind but never taken, and rarely seen in isolation. What are they? Answer: Footprints. |
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Cliffs of Moher Liscannor, Clare, Ireland |
Footnotes And Sources1. WSJ.com, September 25, 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.
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