Month in review
Rates Rise in September
Written Oct 10September 2026 was defined by the Federal Reserve’s unanimous decision to raise the federal‑funds target range by a quarter‑percentage point to 3‑¾ %–4 % on 16 September. The move coincided with a rise in Treasury rates – the 10‑year yield climbed 50 basis points to 5.29 % and the 2‑year rose 49 basis points to 4.88 % over the month, according to the Fed’s H.15 release. Core macro data included a CPI reading of 3.4 % year‑over‑year for August, alongside the September releases of the jobs report, PPI, retail sales and the Fed’s preferred PCE gauge. Brent crude averaged $116.8 a barrel, up 28.5 % from August, while WTI crude averaged $96.9 a barrel, a 17.2 % increase, and Henry Hub natural‑gas averaged $2.95 per MMBtu, 6.5 % higher than the prior month. A secondary theme highlighted heightened policy dialogue between the United States and China on trade stability, with broader considerations of AI, tariffs and Iran noted in the month’s commentary. The month comprised 21 trading sessions, with markets closed on Monday, 7 September, for Labor Day.
AI-generated from this record only and gated so that every figure appears in it. Informational only — not investment advice.
Each day opens its own record.
Day by day
| Date | Release | 10-year yield | Filings | Headline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Sep 14 | 4.97% (+1 bp) | 11 | ||
| Tue, Sep 15 | 5.00% (+3 bp) | 8 | Stocks have so far survived rising Treasury yields. But that may be about to change. | |
| Wed, Sep 16 | Fed interest-rate decision raised the federal funds target range by 1/4 percentage point to 3-3/4 to 4 percent | 5.01% (+1 bp) | 3 | Dow closes over 600 points down as stocks swing lower after Fed raises rates |
| Thu, Sep 17 | 4.94% (-7 bp) | 4 | Nasdaq, S&P 500 close sharply higher as stocks rebound from Fed-driven selloff | |
| Fri, Sep 18 | 5.01% (+7 bp) | 8 | S&P 500, Nasdaq close higher, Dow slips as 10-year Treasury yield holds above 5% | |
| Mon, Sep 21 | 4.96% (-5 bp) | 6 | Nasdaq closes at record high, with S&P 500 on the verge, as tech stocks soar | |
| Tue, Sep 22 | 4.96% (0 bp) | 6 | Nasdaq’s rapid rise is telling investors: Don’t wait for a pullback to buy | |
| Wed, Sep 23 | 5.11% (+15 bp) | 7 | Nasdaq ends sharply lower, Dow sheds 350 points as Treasury yields rise above 5% | |
| Thu, Sep 24 | 5.18% (+7 bp) | 14 | Nasdaq and S&P 500 break into green in final hour; Dow down 150 points — live | |
| Fri, Sep 25 | 5.17% (-1 bp) | 5 | Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq lock in weekly gains despite surging Treasury yields | |
| Mon, Sep 28 | 5.24% (+7 bp) | 7 | Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq close lower as Treasury yields keep climbing | |
| Tue, Sep 29 | 5.26% (+2 bp) | 9 | Prediction market traders think the U.S. added more jobs in September than economists estimate | |
| Wed, Sep 30 | PCE inflation report | 5.29% (+3 bp) | 14 | Stocks swoon into closing bell, as Nasdaq books gain but Dow and S&P 500 fall |