Good morning and welcome to a new week with a fresh cocktail of market hopes and fears.
Stocks are set to open lower after Friday's post-jobs report rally with oil prices and bond yields staying stubbornly high. But with traders now pricing in an interest rate hold in October, the dynamic has shifted ahead of the Federal Reserve minutes later in the week.
There's a bit more hope for the software sector after Schneider Electric agreed to buy PTC at a 42% premium to its last closing price.
The mood in Europe is definitely more fearful, though. The euro hit a 17-month low as French debt concerns mounted and Spain called a snap election. On the flip side, the U.S. dollar index hit an almost 18-month high.
A handful of kingmakers are still in charge of the artificial-intelligence trade. Chip maker Cerebras was rebounding to start the week as OpenAI's Sam Altman delivered some good news, while Intel slipped as Elon Musk was the bearer of bad news.
AI stocks remain in a strong position. It could even be the day Nvidia sets a new record closing high-it has risen 20% in just three months. Now that's something to make everyone hopeful.
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📈 Here's what's happening in markets today:
Stocks are set to open lower as the jobs rally fades.
Qualcomm, Intel, Strategy, and more stocks that explain today's market.
Nvidia set for stock record as key supplier celebrates booming AI demand.
Cerebras stock is rebounding. Thank OpenAI's Sam Altman.
PTC stock soars on $22.6 billion Schneider Electric deal. Why it's a win for software.
Intel takes a hit as Elon Musk signals setback for the chip maker.
SpaceX is now a super intelligence company. Say hello to SpaceXSI.
RXO stock soars. C.H. Robinson is buying it for implied value of $5.8 billion.
Micron stock falls amid fears of memory-price peak. The data tell a different story.
🎙? Be sure to tune in to today's Barron's Live
Join Barron's Senior Managing Editor Lauren R. Rublin and Investor Circle Newsletter Editor Josh Schafer today at noon when they speak with veteran technical analyst Andy Addison, proprietor of The Institutional View newsletter and research service, about the global rise in bond yields and the outlook for stocks, commodities, and gold. Sign up here.
?? How Supreme Court battles over Exxon and Apple affect investors
The Supreme Court's latest term is here, including cases involving companies like Exxon and Apple that have important implications for 401(k) plan providers, energy companies, and retail investors hoping to invest in private equity and alternative assets. The court starts hearing oral arguments today. Read here for more.
?? Insurance industry's job shedding isn't just about AI
After years of sharply rising premiums and fat profits, the insurance industry is at a crossroads. It's been shedding jobs-about 95,000 since early last year-as policy rates plateau for some, government subsidies dry up for others, and artificial intelligence threatens deeper cuts. Read more here.
🍿 Amazon's MGM beats Warner Bros. at weekend box office
Amazon's MGM Studios overpowered Tom Cruise's latest film and Warner Bros. Discovery's last film release before its merger with Paramount Skydance this week. MGM's Verity, the R-rated crime thriller, won the weekend domestic box office. For Hollywood, box office sales in 2026 are running 19% higher than the comparable time last year.
📅 Put it on your calendar
Every Monday morning Barron's publishes a rundown of what's coming up for investors in the week ahead. Don't miss out on earnings reports, inflation data, and anything that could move the markets. On the agenda:
The minutes of the Fed's September meeting
Delta Air Lines earnings
Michigan's consumer sentiment reading
🪙 Crypto's comeback is already here
Cryptocurrencies enjoyed a renaissance in the third quarter. Bitcoin soared more than 40%, while Ethereum surged more than 70%. The rebound for digital assets may have only just begun. Read about the comeback for crypto here.
📰 Don't miss out on our other newsletters
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💵 Consumers are down about the economy but still spending
Leading surveys of American consumers' collective mood show them to be down in the dumps about either the economy or their own financial conditions. But that hasn't stopped people from spending-far from it, in fact. Read more about this disconnect here.
💬 Quote of the day:
Other headlines moving markets:
2 jobs numbers that matter most.
What it will take for bond yields to drop.
October is a bad month for stocks-but not for the reason you think.
Global food costs are rising again. Will your grocery bill be next?
Inflation eats away at wages, posing risks for consumer spending.
How this quantum stock hopes to gain an edge from AI and supercomputing.
Why Medtronic's MiniMed exchange offer is losing its allure.
Fidelity sets $100 million asset minimum for RIAs.
AI agents got cash to trade stocks. Here's what they bought and sold.
Why Disney could be making big changes to its TV business.
Analyst calls Airbnb an AI boom winner.
Datadog stock is having its best year since 2020.
Nike is burning cash to pay a 5% dividend. How long can it last?
The stock market is looking ahead to earnings season.
GameStop's insider buying spree gains steam.
Paramount shareholders to get warrants in huge financing deal.
A divided stock market looks scary. It could set up a serious rally.
The G-7 oil bailout is surprisingly good news for these stocks
Rivian crushes delivery numbers. Why its stock did this.
-Edited by Liz Moyer, Stacy Ozol, and Patrick O'Donnell