US stocks rebound to close higher as surging Treasury yields recede
The three major US indices closed higher on the first day of October
On Thursday, October 1st, US stocks rebounded to close higher as surging Treasury yields began to recede. The S&P 500, which had hit a two-week low earlier in the day, bounced back from its lows after a global bond selloff reversed course, causing a decline in US Treasury yields. Economic reports had previously indicated a strong economy with persistent price pressures, leading to concerns about inflation that could prompt the Federal Reserve to adopt more aggressive rate hikes.
The Labor Department reported a drop in weekly initial jobless claims to 197,000, below the expected 200,000, signaling a solid labor market ahead of the government's payrolls report on Friday.
As Treasury yields continued to rise, the 10-year Treasury note hit a 24-year high, pushing equities lower after a manufacturing PMI report showed a dip in US manufacturing activity to 54.5 in September, up from 54.6 in August. The report also highlighted an increase in input prices, raising fears about inflation. However, yields retreated lower after Fed Vice-Chair Philip Jefferson suggested the central bank may be patient before raising rates again, following a 25 basis point increase in September.
Scott Welch, chief investment officer at Certuity in Maryland, noted that while valuations had declined, the market was not cheap, expressing a cautious yet optimistic outlook. He expected higher volatility in both equities and bonds as the market adjusted to a new normal. Oil prices, which had been contributing to inflation concerns, saw a rise of over US$4 a barrel after China suspended fuel exports, further tightening global markets.
Brent crude prices also boosted the S&P 500 energy index, the best-performing sector among the 11 major S&P groups.
Technology stocks also demonstrated strength, with the Nasdaq Composite gaining 0.04 percent, reaching 26,871.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 50,926.74, up 0.04 percent, while the S&P 500 increased by 0.2 percent to 7,666.48. Micron Technology, an AI-focused semiconductor company, saw a 3 percent rise in its shares following a better-than-expected revenue forecast and US$32 billion in customer commitments under its supply agreements.
Softer-than-expected inflation data on Wednesday further diminished expectations of a rate increase at the Fed's October meeting, with market expectations for a 25 basis point hike falling to 28.2 percent, down from 68.6 percent the previous week.
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