Stocks were under pressure last week as corporate earnings results, rising oil prices, and AI valuation anxieties unsettled investors.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 1.95 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 4.48 percent. By contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.67 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.96 percent.1,2
Tough Week for Tech
Markets traded in a tight range over the first two days of the week as investors awaited a slew of Q3 corporate earnings results, mostly from big financial services companies, later in the week. That first batch of earnings announcements came in Tuesday, with mostly strong results, but high investor expectations kept markets from moving much.3
Then midweek, investors appeared to rotate out of AI names as they digested a warm retail inflation report. Those two factors shifted sentiment, and stocks trended lower. However, the Dow Industrials proved more defensive, ending the session essentially flat.4
On Thursday, AI stocks were under pressure again as investors appeared to favor more value-oriented names.5
As the week wrapped up, oil prices rose to their highest level since May, while sellers targeted AI- and tech-related names. The Nasdaq found some support at the close but still had its worst week since June.6
Source: YCharts.com, October 17, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, October 12 to Friday, October 16. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points.
Inflation Jitters
Fresh retail and wholesale inflation reports were out last week. Both came in hotter than expected, which put the spotlight on the Fed’s meeting in late October.
The Consumer Price Index report, out Wednesday, showed inflation rose 3.7 percent in September, higher than the 3.6 percent economists expected. And Thursday’s Producer Price Index report showed wholesale inflation hit 6.6 percent year over year—the highest level in four years.7,8
This Week: Key Economic Data
Monday: NAHB Housing Market Index.
Tuesday: Housing Starts. Pending Home Sales.
Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Leading Indicators. Kansas City Fed Survey.
Friday: Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)—Manufacturing. PMI—Services. U. Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey (final).
Source: Investor’s Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar: October 16, 2026.
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Tuesday: GE Aerospace (GE), Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), RTX Corporation (RTX), Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG), Capital One Financial Corporation (COF), 3M Company (MMM), General Motors Company (GM), Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)
Wednesday: Meta Platforms, Inc. (META), Tesla, Inc. (TSLA), Lam Research Corporation (LRCX), Philip Morris International. (PM), Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN), International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), NextEra Energy (NEE), AT&T Inc. (T), CME Group Inc. (CME)
Thursday: The Procter & Gamble Company (PG), Union Pacific Corporation (UNP), Western Digital Corporation (WDC), Valero Energy Corporation (VLO), Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT), Newmont Corporation (NEM), Spotify Technology (SPOT)
Friday: American Express Company (AXP)
Source: Zacks, October 16, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice.
“Do not merely practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; it deserves that, for only art and science can exalt man to divinity.”
– Ludwig van Beethoven
Eat the Rainbow, Reap the Benefits
One of the easiest ways to ensure a well-rounded diet is to think in terms of colors. Different colored foods contain different nutrients, and eating a wide variety means your body gets more of what it needs. Here’s a quick guide:
- Red foods: contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health and reduced cancer risk.
- Orange and yellow foods: rich in carotenoids, which support healthy eyes and mucous membranes.
- Green foods: offer anti-cancer compounds and are an excellent source of folate.
- Blue and purple foods: contain anthocyanins, antioxidants that may help protect cells and reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
- White foods: are known for antiviral and antibacterial properties, and many, like bananas, are a great source of potassium.
Tip adapted from HealthLine.com9
What to Look for on a Nutrition Label
Nutrition labels contain helpful information that can guide you toward healthier eating. But do you know how to read one correctly? The serving size is the first thing you will see on a nutrition label; this shows how many calories a serving contains.
The following section is the nutrients. This section helps you determine a food’s nutritional value. Pay close attention to saturated fat and added sugar. Lastly, you have the % Daily Value (DV), the percentage of each nutrient in a single serving relative to the recommended amount.
Tip adapted from Heart.org10
No matter how little or how much you use me, you change your view of me every month. What am I?
Last Week’s Riddle: I’m tall when I’m young and short when I’m old, usually indoors and sometimes on fire. What am I?
Answer: A candle.
Fanad Head lighthouse
Fanad Head, Donegal, Ireland
Footnotes and Sources
1. WSJ.com, October 16, 2026
2. Investing.com, October 16, 2026
3. CNBC.com, October 13, 2026
4. WSJ.com, October 14, 2026
5. CNBC.com, October 15, 2026
6. WSJ.com, October 16, 2026
7. WSJ.com, October 14, 2026
8. CNBC.com, October 15, 2026
9. HealthLine.com, July 21, 2026
10. Heart.org, February 19, 2026