24/09/2026
Hot PMI, higher oil and hawkish Fed bets pressure markets
S&P 500: 7,706.03 (-0.8%)
Nasdaq-100: 30,470.29 (-0.9%)
DJIA: 51,511.59 (-0.7%)
Eurostoxx: 6,299.82 (-0.4%)
U.S. crude futures: $92.16 (+1.8%)
Spot Gold (XAU/USD): $4,287.41 (-1.6%)
Wall Street retreated on Wednesday as unexpectedly strong U.S. business activity reignited concerns that the Federal Reserve may need to tighten policy further. S&P Global’s flash U.S. Composite PMI climbed to 58.4 in September, its highest since July 2021, signalling robust demand but also renewed inflation pressure. The data pushed the 10-year Treasury yield above 5.10%, while the two-year yield approached 4.95%. Markets raised the probability of an October rate hike to roughly 66%, reinforced by Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr’s warning that further policy adjustments would likely be required (Reuters, 24 September). Oil’s rebound added to inflation worries after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected pressure from Washington, clouding hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough. Investors now turn to the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, with trade and artificial-intelligence policy expected to dominate discussions.