Weekly Market UpdateAre rising Treasury yields becoming a bigger threat to stocks, or can strong economic growth and corporate earnings keep the market moving higher? That remains the key question this week. So far, investors appear willing to look past higher borrowing costs, particularly when technology and AI companies continue to deliver strong growth. Last Week: Global markets were mixed as investors weighed strong economic data against softer employment growth and sharply higher bond yields. The S&P 500 fell 0.27%, while the Nasdaq gained 0.45%. The Dow declined 1.26%, and the MSCI EAFE fell 1.81%. The 10-year Treasury yield briefly climbed above 5.29%, up 133 basis points from its late-February low, putting pressure on stock valuations. Stocks recovered midweek after an upward revision to second-quarter GDP showed the U.S. economy grew faster than initially estimated. Strong results from a major semiconductor company also supported technology shares, while higher oil prices limited the broader rally. A softer-than-expected jobs report on Friday renewed speculation that the Fed could adjust interest rates later this month, helping the Nasdaq reach a new intraday record. This Week: Stocks started Monday on a positive note, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.7% and the Nasdaq rising 1.1% to a record close. (AP News) Today, markets are again benefiting from lower oil prices and easing Treasury yields, although the 10-year yield remains near 5.3%. (Reuters) Investors will watch Fed meeting minutes Wednesday, economic data, Treasury yields, oil prices, and the beginning of third-quarter earnings reports for clues about the economy and the Fed's next move. (Federal Reserve) |
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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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