U.S. Stocks Close Higher as Yields Climb; Tech and Industrials Lead
Major U.S. stock benchmarks finished Friday, September 25, 2026, in positive territory, led by a 0.93% gain in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The S&P 500 added 0.51%, the Nasdaq rose 0.48%, and the Russell 2000 gained 0.31%. Treasury yields continued rising and weighed on rate-sensitive shares, while technology and industrials outperformed and energy and communications lagged.
Major averages ended higher despite intraday swings, with the Dow's 478.61-point advance outpacing gains in the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000. The 10-year Treasury yield edged up to 5.18%, while August durable goods orders came in at 0.0%, above the -0.4% estimate, and a core measure missed. Final September consumer sentiment improved slightly, though inflation expectations remained elevated.
Commodities diverged: WTI and Brent crude fell after reports about possible Iran talks and the Strait of Hormuz, while December gold rose 0.54% to $4,321.20. Sector results were mixed, as technology, industrials, and materials gained, while real estate, energy, and communications declined. The Fear and Greed Index stayed in Fear at 38.
Higher Treasury yields could keep borrowing costs elevated for households and businesses, potentially affecting mortgages, credit cards, and corporate investment. Equity gains may support retirement accounts and investor confidence, though the advance was uneven across sectors. Energy and communications weakness could weigh on those industries' workers and shareholders, while lower crude prices may ease fuel expenses for consumers and transport firms. Gold's rise may reflect continued demand for defensive assets amid inflation expectations and geopolitical uncertainty.