18th September 2026 – (New York) U.S. stocks recovered on Thursday as a retreat in Treasury yields and softer crude prices buoyed risk appetite, helping traders recoup losses from the previous session after the Federal Reserve delivered its first interest rate increase in three years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 316.14 points, or 0.61 per cent, to close at 51,778.04. The S&P 500 added 1.14 per cent to 7,637.76, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.69 per cent to 26,418.30, with heavyweight technology counters steering the advance.
Strength in the so‑called artificial intelligence trade set the tone across the board. Among the “Magnificent Seven”, Nvidia and Amazon climbed more than 2 per cent apiece and Microsoft advanced 1.5 per cent. Chip‑linked names extended the momentum, with Qualcomm up about 2 per cent and Intel jumping 7 per cent, supporting a broader bid for growth shares after the prior day’s sell‑off.
In fixed income, the 10‑year Treasury yield slipped back below the 5 per cent threshold, down more than seven basis points to around 4.93 per cent, easing pressure on duration‑sensitive sectors. Energy prices also moderated, providing a further tailwind for equities. U.S. crude settled 0.51 per cent lower at 101.91 dollars a barrel and Brent declined 0.95 per cent to 104.82 dollars, as supply disruption fears abated following reports that Saudi Arabia had increased cargo availability to Asian refiners via ship‑to‑ship transfers near Oman’s Sohar port.
Thursday’s rebound followed a risk‑off session on Wednesday, when the central bank lifted the target range for the federal funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point and signalled that another move could arrive before year‑end. Investors read the combination of tighter policy and easing market pressures as a sign that inflation management remains the priority while financial conditions are not tightening disorderly, prompting a relief‑led rotation back into megacap technology and other cyclicals.
Market commentary reflected cautious optimism tempered by macro and geopolitical uncertainties. Robert Conzo, chief executive at The Wealth Alliance, framed the tone as one of relief that policymakers are tackling sticky inflation, while warning that volatility could re‑emerge if Middle East tensions keep oil elevated and pass‑through effects intensify for retailers and consumers. Separately, tactical voices flagged fragile market internals despite headline gains. BTIG’s chief market technician Jonathan Krinsky pointed to a falling share of S&P 500 constituents trading above their 200‑day moving averages and noted weakness across banks, industrials and transports, arguing that complacent sentiment and eroding breadth leave room for further downside if leadership narrows.
Stock‑specific moves punctuated the session. Workday rallied about 5 per cent after reports that financing discussions tied to a potential take‑private effort were continuing. Electric‑vehicle maker Lucid Group rose nearly 9 per cent after its chief executive indicated restructuring work with advisers had concluded. SiTime leapt almost 10 per cent as Morgan Stanley initiated coverage with an overweight rating and a 730‑dollar price target, implying roughly one‑third upside from the prior close. In research, Macquarie upgraded Trip.com to outperform, citing robust overseas momentum, improving margins and a disciplined, return‑focused expansion strategy that could offset softer domestic growth, and set a target price of 53.20 dollars, suggesting about 32 per cent potential upside.
Names verified: Kevin Warsh (Federal Reserve chair); Robert Conzo (chief executive, The Wealth Alliance); Ellie Jiang (analyst, Macquarie; Trip.com coverage); Jonathan Krinsky (chief market technician, BTIG)
