Dow Gains 196 Points, S&P 500 Slips 0.06%, Nasdaq Falls 0.44% as Oil Surge and Memory Chip Losses Weigh

Mumbai, 13 October 2026: US equities closed mixed on Monday, 12 October 2026, as a surge in crude oil prices and a sharp sell-off in memory chip stocks offset gains in energy and defensive sectors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 195.60 points, or 0.38%, to close at 51,850.55. The S&P 500 slipped 4.30 points, or 0.06%, to end at 7,807.24. The Nasdaq Composite fell 120.27 points, or 0.44%, to close at 27,245.90. Investors positioned ahead of a busy week of bank earnings and key inflation data, with the bond market closed for Columbus Day.

Dow Jones Gains 196 Points as Oil Rally Lifts Blue-Chip Index Today

The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened at 51,765.35 and closed at 51,850.55, gaining 195.60 points or 0.38%. The index touched an intraday high of 51,928.10 and a low of 51,718.60. It was the third consecutive positive session for the 30-stock benchmark. Among the top gainers within the index, Home Depot rose 3.39%, Chevron advanced 3.12%, IBM gained 2.77%, Travelers added 2.68%, and McDonald’s climbed 2.61%. Salesforce contributed meaningfully after receiving a double upgrade, rising 2.09%.

On the losing side, Nvidia fell 2.94%, Amazon declined 2.25%, and Caterpillar dropped 2.17%. The session followed a rebound in oil prices after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow had violated an energy ceasefire agreement, which affected trading across major US equities. The Dow’s advance came even as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite slipped, reflecting a rotation into energy and value-oriented blue-chip names.

S&P 500 Slips 0.06% as Energy Gains Offset Technology Sector Losses

The S&P 500 opened at 7,813.04 and ended at 7,807.24, losing 4.30 points or 0.06%. During the session, the index reached a high of 7,821.67 and a low of 7,796.94. Movements across energy and communication services sectors supported the benchmark, while information technology and consumer discretionary sectors declined.

Among notable constituents, Accenture rose 5.96%, Marathon Petroleum gained 4.77%, Valero Energy advanced 4.65%, and Philip Morris added 4.05%. Conversely, Oracle fell 5.48%, Micron Technology dropped 4.79%, and Broadcom declined 4.35%. The index’s near-flat closing performance came as rising oil prices and concerns over Chinese memory chip competition influenced market trading. The S&P 500 finished just below the flatline while the Dow gained, highlighting the divergence between energy-supported value stocks and technology-weighted growth shares.

Nasdaq Falls 0.44% as Micron Slump and China Memory Competition Weigh Today

The Nasdaq Composite opened at 27,352.51 and closed at 27,245.90, marking a loss of 120.27 points or 0.44%. Its intraday high stood at 27,376.66, while the low was 27,219.42. Technology and growth-oriented shares faced pressure, with Micron Technology falling 4.79%, Intel dropping 5.34%, Arm Holdings declining 6.48%, and Advanced Micro Devices losing 3.90%. Among the top gainers on the Nasdaq, Adobe rose 3.56%, Intuit gained 2.71%, Netflix advanced 2.68%, and Booking Holdings added 2.63%.

The technology-heavy benchmark responded to news that Chinese memory maker ChangXin Memory Technologies reported progress on a new memory-cell design, which intensified competitive concerns for US and South Korean chipmakers. The Nasdaq’s decline contrasted with the Dow’s gain, as semiconductor weakness outweighed strength in select software and consumer internet names.

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Russell 2000 Drops 0.42% as Dow Gains, S&P and Nasdaq Slip Today

The Russell 2000 opened at 2,805.29 and closed at 2,795.30, losing 11.68 points or 0.42%. It recorded an intraday high of 2,805.83 and a low of 2,794.97. Movements among smaller-cap companies reflected the broader market’s cautious tone, with semiconductor and technology-related names under pressure.

Among notable small-cap movers, Haemonetics surged 17.46%, Veradermics gained 14.13%, and Erasca advanced 9.49%. On the losing side, Applied Optoelectronics fell 13.58%, MaxLinear dropped 12.72%, and Hut 8 declined 10.87%. The benchmark’s performance came as rising oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty influenced trading across risk-sensitive segments, with the Dow’s gain failing to lift smaller-cap shares.

S&P 100 Edges Up 0.03% as Large-Cap Shares Post Mixed Performance Today

The S&P 100 opened at 3,894.39 and finished at 3,892.30, recording a gain of 1.24 points or 0.03%. The index traded between 3,902.82 and 3,888.69 during the session. Movements in major large-cap constituents were mixed, with energy and consumer defensive names providing support while technology shares weighed.

The index’s marginal advance reflected the session’s broader divergence, as markets responded to oil price gains and awaited earnings and inflation data later in the week. The S&P 100’s near-flat close mirrored the S&P 500’s slight decline, while the Dow’s stronger gain underscored the outperformance of blue-chip industrial and energy components.

Dow Composite Rises 0.23% as Transport and Utility Averages Post Gains

The Dow Jones Composite Average opened at 16,158.93 and closed at 16,175.08, gaining 37.58 points or 0.23%, after moving between 16,204.96 and 16,143.84. The Dow Jones Transportation Average ended at 19,759.08, compared with a previous close of 19,804.14, representing a 0.23% decline.

The Dow Jones Utility Average closed at 1,059.66, changing 0.35% from its previous close of 1,055.96. Movements in relevant constituents reflected the session’s energy-led gains and defensive positioning. The composite’s advance came as the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.38%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined, illustrating the divergence between transportation and utility components.

SOX Falls 2.67% as Micron and Chip Stocks Slide on China Competition

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) opened at 12,361.24 and closed at 12,236.79, losing 335.63 points or 2.67%. Its intraday high was 12,378.31, while the low was 12,216.45. Semiconductor-related constituents such as Micron Technology fell 4.79%, Intel dropped 5.34%, Arm Holdings declined 6.48%, and Advanced Micro Devices lost 3.90%.

The sector benchmark’s decline followed reports that Chinese memory maker CXMT announced progress on a new memory-cell design, which affected sentiment across chip stocks. The SOX’s sharp drop contrasted with the Dow’s gain and the S&P 500’s marginal loss, as semiconductor weakness remained concentrated in the technology-heavy Nasdaq.

NYSE Composite Gains 0.22% as Energy and Financial Shares Advance Today

The NYSE Composite Index opened at 23,939.10 and closed at 23,990.67, recording a gain of 51.57 points or 0.22%. The index traded between 24,019.18 and 23,939.10 during the session. Movements across energy and financial segments contributed to its performance, with oil-related names benefiting from higher crude prices.

The composite’s advance came as broader US equity trading reflected a rotation into value-oriented sectors. The NYSE Composite’s gain aligned with the Dow’s positive close, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite finished lower, highlighting the session’s sector-driven divergence.

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S&P MidCap 400 Falls 0.38% as SmallCap 600 Slips 0.10% in Mixed Trade

The S&P MidCap 400 opened at 3,669.17 and closed at 3,655.11, moving -14.06 points or -0.38%, with an intraday range of 3,654.18–3,672.02. The S&P SmallCap 600 opened at 1,673.02 and ended at 1,671.23, losing 1.75 points or -0.10%, after trading between 1,677.01 and 1,669.76. The two benchmarks reflected movements among mid- and small-cap shares as oil price gains and technology weakness affected the wider market. Their declines contrasted with the Dow’s gain and the S&P 100’s marginal advance, underscoring the uneven performance across market capitalisation segments.

Oil Surge and China Memory Advances Drive Mixed US Closing Session Today

The principal market catalyst was the rise in crude oil prices after President Donald Trump announced an “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine over the weekend, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later said Moscow had violated. West Texas Intermediate futures advanced 2.06% to close at $93.74 per barrel, while Brent crude gained 1.84% to close at $106.65 per barrel. Trump also told reporters he was considering joining Saudi Arabia in its fight against Tehran-backed Houthis in Yemen after another deadly attack on Riyadh’s international airport. These developments coincided with the day’s movement across the major US equity benchmarks, with the Dow gaining 0.38%, the S&P 500 slipping 0.06%, and the Nasdaq Composite falling 0.44%.

A second catalyst was the announcement by Chinese memory maker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) that it had made significant progress on a new memory-cell design aimed at increasing storage density. This development weighed on US semiconductor stocks, particularly memory chip makers. Trading remained focused on the upcoming third-quarter earnings season and key inflation data, with movements across energy and technology sectors reflecting the day’s broader market conditions. The divergence between the Dow’s gain and the Nasdaq’s decline was driven largely by the opposing forces of higher oil prices supporting energy shares and semiconductor weakness dragging on technology indices.

VIX Rises 2.63% to 15.23 as Oil Surge Increases Market Volatility

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) changed 2.63% to 15.23, compared with its previous close of 14.84. The index measures expected volatility in the S&P 500 over the coming 30 days. Its movement during the session coincided with rising oil prices and uncertainty over the energy ceasefire.

The CBOE Nasdaq Volatility Index (VXN) moved to 20.87, while the CBOE S&P 500 3-Month Volatility Index (VIX3M) changed to 17.75. The VIX’s advance came as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined, while the Dow gained, reflecting uneven volatility expectations across the major benchmarks.

Energy Sector Leads Gains as Technology Falls Across Eleven S&P Groups Today

Performance across the 11 S&P 500 sectors was mixed. Energy recorded the strongest move at approximately 1.4%, while communication services also gained about 1.4%. Consumer staples advanced 0.8%. Information technology was the worst-performing sector, declining around 0.9%, followed by consumer discretionary, which fell 0.5%. The remaining sectors recorded the following moves: Financials 0.56%, Health Care -0.76%, Industrials -0.73%, Utilities 0.87%, Real Estate 0.87%, and Materials -0.47%. The sector movements followed the oil price rally and semiconductor stock declines, with the Dow benefiting from energy and industrial components while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were weighed down by technology weakness.

Magnificent Seven Mixed as Nvidia Falls 2.94% and Apple Gains 1.11% Today

Among the Magnificent Seven, Nvidia moved -2.94%, Apple changed +1.11%, Microsoft recorded -1.35%, Alphabet declined -0.63%, Amazon fell -2.25%, Meta Platforms slipped -0.06%, and Tesla dropped -0.74%.

Their daily movements contributed to the performance of major US equity benchmarks, with technology and consumer discretionary shares weighing on the Nasdaq Composite. The group’s mixed performance mirrored the broader market’s divergence, as the Dow’s gain and the S&P 500’s marginal loss reflected offsetting strength in non-technology sectors.

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Semiconductor Stocks Fall 2.67% as Energy Shares Advance on Oil Rally

Semiconductor stocks were lower, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index moving -2.67%. Financial stocks recorded mixed performance, with JPMorgan Chase rising 0.56%, Wells Fargo gaining 2.21%, and Goldman Sachs declining 0.52%. Energy stocks moved higher alongside changes in crude oil prices, with Chevron advancing 3.12% and ConocoPhillips gaining 3.35%.

AI and growth stocks were mixed, with movements among relevant constituents contributing to the technology-heavy indices. The session’s sector performance underscored the divergence between the Dow’s 0.38% gain, supported by energy and financial components, and the Nasdaq’s 0.44% decline, driven by semiconductor weakness.

Investors Await September CPI Data as No Major Releases Hit Session Today

No major economic data was released on Monday. The latest economic data showed that the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) is due on Wednesday, with economists expecting a 3.7% annual increase, up from 3.4% in August. The core index, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, is expected to have risen 2.5% annually.

The Producer Price Index (PPI) is due on Thursday. These upcoming releases will provide the latest information on inflation during the session. The absence of fresh data left markets focused on oil price movements and semiconductor developments, with the Dow gaining 0.38% while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined 0.06% and 0.44% respectively.

Fed’s Hammack Signals Restrictive Policy as Bond Market Closed for Holiday

The Federal Reserve remained a key focus as markets assessed comments from Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, who said tighter monetary policy might be needed to bring down inflation and that the central bank should make fast, incremental adjustments. The US bond market was closed on Monday in observance of Columbus Day. The 2-year US Treasury yield stood at 4.787%, while the 5-year yield was 5.03%.

The 10-year Treasury yield stood at 5.238%, and the 30-year yield was 5.596%. The yield curve remained steep as long-term inflation and fiscal concerns affected Treasury trading. The Fed commentary and elevated yields provided a backdrop for the session’s mixed equity performance, with the Dow gaining 0.38% while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite slipped.

Brent Crude Rises 1.84% to $106.65 as Dollar Hits 18-Month High Today

Brent crude traded at $106.65, changing 1.84%, while WTI crude stood at $93.74, moving 2.06%. Gold traded at $4,185.13, changing -0.2%, while silver moved 0.2% to $60.95. Copper changed 0.5% to $14,618 per tonne, and natural gas moved -1.6% to $3.15 per MMBtu.

The commodity moves followed geopolitical developments in the Middle East and the failed energy ceasefire. The US Dollar Index (DXY) moved 0.37% to 102.58. EUR/USD stood at 1.120, USD/JPY traded at 158.147, and GBP/USD was at 1.325. Currency movements followed safe-haven demand and expectations of higher US interest rates. The commodity and currency moves coincided with the Dow’s 0.38% gain, the S&P 500’s 0.06% decline, and the Nasdaq Composite’s 0.44% loss.

The closing session was shaped by a surge in oil prices and Chinese memory chip advances, alongside movements in energy and technology sectors. The Dow Jones gained 0.38%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined 0.06% and 0.44% respectively. These figures provide a factual summary of the session and its key market developments.