U.S. stocks moved lower on October 26, 2026. The Dow fell 1.23% to 52,215.16, the S&P 500 slipped 0.52% to 7,623.68 and the Nasdaq lost 0.21% to 25,955.342. Microsoft bucked the decline, rising 0.66%, while Alphabet fell 1.24%. December crude oil futures dropped 2.10% to $101.10, gold futures rose 0.44% to $4,025.70 and bitcoin gained 0.25% to $80,239.83.
Headlines highlighted record holiday delivery prices facing U.S. retailers, with surcharges tied to costlier diesel. AI financing drew mixed attention: Wells Fargo cut machinery targets on funding concerns, while Raymond James saw financing opportunities for Apollo, Owl Rock and Ares. Another report said hedge funds cut long positions as short bets drove losses.
Watch semiconductor earnings and supply developments: KeyBanc was positive on Monolithic Power heading into earnings, while BofA maintained its buy rating on Micron, citing the memory supply outlook and technology gains. Shipping also bears watching after BofA tracked a recovery in Red Sea transit. The VIX, a gauge of expected stock-market volatility, rose 0.67% to 19.58.