Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Today: Stocks Rally as Oil and Bond Yields Ease — September 21, 2026
Updated September 21, 2026, after the US market close. All figures are closing values.
Stock market today, US stocks rose broadly on Monday. The Nasdaq Composite closed at an all-time high, and the S&P 500 finished within 0.4% of its record. The rally came as oil prices and Treasury yields gave back part of the jump that unsettled markets last week.
Closing numbers
| Index | Close | Change | % Change | Year to date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 7,764.70 | +114.20 | +1.5% | +13.4% |
| Dow Jones Industrial Average | 52,048.83 | +366.19 | +0.7% | +8.2% |
| Nasdaq Composite | 27,122.09 | +599.55 | +2.3% | +16.7% |
| Russell 2000 | 2,875.36 | +14.96 | +0.5% | +15.9% |
Source: Associated Press, via KRMG
Why stocks moved
1. Oil pulled back from nearly $110. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 3.4% to $100.34 a barrel. It had traded close to $110 the week before, though it’s still well above the roughly $72 it fetched this summer. Strategists quoted by the AP pointed to profit-taking after the recent surge. They also cited hopes around the upcoming UN General Assembly meetings and US–China leadership talks. Some Middle East crude has been moving through the Strait of Hormuz, but volumes remain constrained. Source: AP
2. Treasury yields eased below 5%. The 10-year Treasury yield slipped to 4.95%, down from 5.01% on Friday. Last week it crossed 5% for the first time since 2023, driven by worries about inflation and government debt. Lower yields make stocks look more attractive relative to bonds and reduce borrowing costs for companies. Source: AP
3. Chip stocks led the tech rally. Advanced Micro Devices jumped 9.9% and reached a $1 trillion market value. Nvidia rose 2.3%. That strength pushed the tech-heavy Nasdaq further ahead than the Dow, which holds fewer technology names. Source: AP
Other notable moves
- Warner Bros. Discovery rose 10.8% after a lawsuit settlement. (AP)
- Coinbase Global gained 3.5% as bitcoin topped $86,000. (AP)
- Meta Platforms rose more than 11%, according to The Motley Fool, after its Muse AI agent reached the top of Apple’s App Store.
- Energy and materials lagged as crude fell. (The Motley Fool)
- Gold fell 0.9% to $4,340.51. (The Motley Fool)
Around the world
Stocks also rose overseas. France’s main index gained 0.9%, Hong Kong’s rose 1.2%, and South Korea’s added 1.6%. Source: AP
What to watch next
The pullback in oil and yields is what drove Monday’s gains. That means the next moves in those two markets matter most.
- Oil: Brent is still near $100. Any renewed disruption around the Strait of Hormuz could push it back up.
- The 10-year yield: a return above 5% would revive the pressure stocks faced last week.
- Diplomacy: the UN General Assembly and the US–China leadership talks were cited as reasons for optimism. A disappointing outcome could reverse that.
Not everyone is optimistic. Morgan Stanley analysts, cited by The Motley Fool, cautioned that the S&P 500 could fall as much as 7% if energy prices climb further and Treasury yields stay high.
Stock Market Today: Your Questions Answered
Updated September 21, 2026, after the US market close.
What happened in the stock market today (September 21, 2026)?
US stocks rallied. The S&P 500 rose 1.5% to 7,764.70, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.7% to 52,048.83, and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.3% to a record 27,122.09, according to the Associated Press. Source: AP
Why did stocks go up today?
Oil prices and bond yields pulled back from last week’s highs. Brent crude fell 3.4% to $100.34 a barrel and the 10-year Treasury yield eased to 4.95% from 5.01%. Chip stocks led the gains, with AMD up 9.9% and Nvidia up 2.3%. Source: AP
Did the Nasdaq hit a record high today?
Yes. The Nasdaq Composite closed at an all-time high of 27,122.09 on September 21, 2026. The S&P 500 finished within 0.4% of its own record. Source: AP
What time does the US stock market open and close?
Regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday to Friday, except on market holidays. Source: NYSE
Can I trade stocks before the market opens or after it closes?
Yes, through pre-market and after-hours sessions if your broker offers them. Prices in these sessions can move sharply because fewer shares trade, so limit orders are generally safer than market orders. Source: Investor.gov
What is the difference between the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average tracks 30 large US companies and is weighted by share price. The S&P 500 tracks about 500 large US companies weighted by market value. The Nasdaq Composite includes nearly all stocks listed on the Nasdaq exchange and is heavily weighted toward technology. Source: Investor.gov
Why does the Nasdaq often move more than the Dow?
The Nasdaq Composite holds a much larger share of technology and growth companies, which tend to swing more on news about interest rates and earnings. On September 21, 2026, for example, strong chip stocks lifted the Nasdaq 2.3% while the Dow rose 0.7%. Source: AP
Why do oil prices affect the stock market?
Higher oil prices raise costs for businesses and consumers and can push inflation up, which may lead to higher interest rates. Falling oil prices usually ease those worries, although energy company shares can drop at the same time.
Why does the 10-year Treasury yield matter for stocks?
The 10-year yield sets the tone for borrowing costs across the economy, including mortgages and corporate loans. When it rises, bonds become more attractive compared with stocks and future company profits are worth less today, which often weighs on share prices.
What are stock market circuit breakers?
Circuit breakers pause trading across US exchanges when the S&P 500 falls sharply in one day. A 7% drop (Level 1) or a 13% drop (Level 2) triggers a 15-minute halt if it happens before 3:25 p.m. Eastern Time. A 20% drop (Level 3) stops trading for the rest of the day. Source: Investor.gov
Is the stock market open on holidays?
No. US exchanges close on set holidays, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some days before holidays have early closes. Source: NYSE
Should I buy stocks when the market hits a record?
A record high on its own is not a buy or sell signal. Most long-term investors focus on their goals, time horizon and diversification rather than daily moves. This page is for information only and is not investment advice; consider speaking with a licensed financial adviser.
For information only, not investment advice. Figures are closing values from the sources linked.
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This recap is for information only and is not investment advice. Figures are closing values from the sources linked above. Markets move fast, so check live prices before making any decision.
