US stock indexes closed the week with mixed results, as gains in major technology shares countered challenges from higher oil prices and rising bond yields. The S&P 500 (SP500) climbed 0.9%, while the Nasdaq COMP dipped 0.1%, and the Dow DJI added 585 points. Strong corporate earnings across various sectors have supported equity returns this year. The FOMC September minutes showed unanimous backing from all 19 policymakers for the recent rate hike, with most favoring another increase before year-end.
In Europe, equities in the SXXP fell 0.4% for the week. Eurozone retail sales inched up in August, rebounding from July’s sharpest decline in over a year, though the growth was slightly below expectations. The Eurozone Composite PMI improved in September, hitting its highest level in nearly three and a half years. The European Central Bank raised rates in September, citing upside inflation risks but emphasizing flexibility in future moves. London’s FTSE 100 UKX gained 0.9%, while Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC both lost 0.7%. Deutsche Telekom DTEGY announced plans to save billions by 2030 and boost revenue through AI integration.
Asian markets saw declines, with China’s 000001 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 JPN225 each dropping 0.7%. Japan’s private sector maintained expansion for an 18th straight month in September 2026, though momentum slowed. The World Bank raised its 2026 growth forecast for East Asia and the Pacific to 4.5%, citing increased demand for AI-related hardware.