Tuesday, October 13, 2026

US equities closed broadly lower on Tuesday as elevated Treasury yields and mixed third-quarter bank earnings kept buyers on the sidelines ahead of critical inflation data. The S&P 500 ended nearly flat, shedding just 0.02% to 7,805.45, while the Dow Jones fell 0.35% to 51,670.1. The Nasdaq dipped 0.15% to 27,204.38, and the rate-sensitive Russell 2000 bore the brunt of the selling, dropping 0.84% to 2,783.369 as the VIX crept up 2.90% to 15.27.

Sectors in focus:

• Energy shines: Petroleum Refining (+3.29%) and Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas (+2.10%) led the broader market. WTI Crude advanced 1.14% to $94.81 as supply-risk premiums mounted amid Middle East tensions and threats to energy infrastructure.
• Healthcare and Aerospace lag: Pharmaceutical Preparations fell 3.52%, weighed down heavily by a 6% slide in Johnson & Johnson following a MedTech sales miss. Aircraft stocks also struggled, shedding 3.84%.
• Semiconductors pressured: A reported DRAM architecture breakthrough by Chinese competitor CXMT pressured domestic chipmakers, dragging down Nasdaq components like Micron.
• Metals lose their shine: Gold and Silver Ores tumbled 3.55% as spot Gold slipped 0.20% to $4,182.1. The safe-haven metal was pressured by a strong dollar and a 10-year Treasury yield resting at 5.24% on a "higher-for-longer" rate outlook.

On the radar:

• Oct 14: September CPI inflation report (Consensus: +0.6% MoM, +3.6% YoY) and ASML Q3 earnings.
• Oct 15: September PPI inflation report, TSMC Q3 earnings, and Weekly Initial Jobless Claims.
• Oct 16: Bank of America (BAC) and Alcoa (AA) deliver quarterly earnings.
• Oct 27-28: FOMC meeting and interest rate decision.