Plain-English news on the S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow and the biggest S&P 500 companies, refreshed through the trading day.
Last updated: Oct 24, 2026, 4:00 AM ET
News summaries for information only, not investment advice.
Breaking
- Oil jumps to its highest level in months on Middle East fears. Crude rose sharply Friday after Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia and reports of possible renewed strikes on Iran, weighing on most stocks. AP News
Latest
- All three major indexes closed lower Friday. The Dow fell the most, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted smaller losses. Nearly three out of four S&P 500 stocks declined. AP News
- S&P 500 and Nasdaq log a losing week; the Dow eked out a gain. It was the S&P 500’s second weekly loss in a row, while the Dow notched its third straight weekly gain. Reuters via Yahoo Finance
- Tech steadies after Thursday’s AI-driven selloff. Chip and tech stocks edged up Friday, a day after a Meta Platforms report revived worries about the cost of AI spending. Reuters via Yahoo Finance
- Energy sector hits a record high. Energy was the standout S&P 500 sector as oil climbed; oilfield services firm SLB rallied after beating profit estimates. Reuters via Yahoo Finance
- American Express drags on the Dow after announcing job cuts. The company raised its profit forecast but said it will cut about 5% of its workforce, citing the need to “prepare for AI.” Caterpillar and Goldman Sachs also slipped. CNBC
- AT&T and T-Mobile slide on SpaceX wireless report. Telecom stocks fell after a report that SpaceX is seeking cell sites for a fourth wireless carrier; tower owners Crown Castle and American Tower rose. Reuters via Yahoo Finance
- Big week ahead: Big Tech earnings and the Fed. About a third of S&P 500 companies report next week, including Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon. The Fed is expected to hold rates steady on Wednesday. Reuters via Yahoo Finance