Core inflation cooled down just enough to save the Nasdaq, but bond yields refuse to let anyone celebrate

← Tuesday, September 29, 2026 · Thursday, October 1, 2026 → · September 2026 archive · Archive

Morning brief: Our AMAT found a clean AI bid with Kioxia, while the rest of the market hyperventilates over yields

Published

Treasury Yields Near Highs Press Equities

Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields linger near 24-year peaks at 5.26% following weak consumer confidence data, depressing market sentiment to a Fear reading of 29. While index futures hover slightly higher ahead of the open, persistent borrowing costs and impending PCE inflation data threaten to cap any broader relief rally.

Sources: investrade.com · apnews.com · economictimes.com · morningstar.com

Bloom Energy Surges 10.8% on AI Power

Bloom Energy surged 10.80% after municipal filings confirmed a 158,000-square-foot facility acquisition in Fremont alongside a Jefferies price target hike. The aggressive footprint expansion underscores booming hyperscaler appetite for on-site microgrid power, though flawless execution is critical to justify steep valuation multiples.

Sources: tradingkey.com · tradingkey.com

DraftKings Drops 7.4% on Market Share Fears

DraftKings slid 7.42% to $19.59 as reports showed rival prediction platform Kalshi captured 76% of NFL Week One contract volume versus DraftKings' 3% share. Escalating competition in event wagering and increased promotional costs continue to squeeze margins, casting doubt on near-term profitability despite retail enthusiasm for its DKeX platform.

Sources: marketbeat.com · 247wallst.com · tradingview.com

AMAT Jumps 5.2% on Kioxia Tech Tie-Up

Applied Materials rallied 5.19% following the announcement of a joint research collaboration with Kioxia to engineer next-generation 3D memory architectures for AI workloads. The deal strengthens equipment demand conviction across advanced packaging and memory, offering fundamental support even as the stock trades near premium historical valuation multiples.

Sources: gurufocus.com · gurufocus.com

Micron Earnings to Test AI Momentum

Micron Technology reports fiscal fourth-quarter results after today's closing bell, with consensus projecting $32.32 EPS on $52.24B in revenue. High-bandwidth memory pricing and forward FY2027 capex commentary will provide the crucial acid test for whether the semiconductor infrastructure trade can sustain its blistering momentum.

Sources: tradingview.com · investing.com · morningstar.com

Posture: Defensive posture. With Fear & Greed at 32 and 10-year yields reaching 5.25%, we favor disciplined risk management and building cash.

Tickers in focus: AMAT, SPY

Upcoming earnings

  • MU — 2026-09-30, After Market Close
  • PEP — 2026-10-08, Before Market Open
  • C — 2026-10-13, TBD
  • GS — 2026-10-13, Before Market Open
  • JNJ — 2026-10-13, TBD
  • JPM — 2026-10-13, TBD

Evening brief: Core inflation cooled down just enough to save the Nasdaq, but bond yields refuse to let anyone celebrate

Published

PCE Cools to 3.4% as Equities Split

August core PCE inflation slowed to 3.4% year-over-year alongside 90,000 private payroll additions, helping the Nasdaq hold positive while the broader market lagged. While cooler price pressures reinforce odds of a central bank pause, elevated long-term Treasury yields and Fear-tier sentiment are keeping a lid on equity valuation multiples.

Cerebras Drops 8.9% on Share Unlock

Cerebras Systems fell 8.87% after a 19.4-million share lockup expiration hit the tape alongside rumors that OpenAI's latest model bypasses its hardware. The sudden float expansion severely tests market appetite for an unprofitable chipmaker, putting near-term pressure on management to prove its massive backlog converts to recognized cloud revenue.

CBOE Surges 5.2% on 25-Year S&P Deal

Cboe Global Markets jumped 5.17% following the signing of an exclusive 25-year licensing extension with S&P Dow Jones Indices to trade SPX options through 2051. The renewal eliminates a structural existential overhang on the exchange's most profitable proprietary franchise, securing resilient high-margin derivative volumes well into the future.

Northrop Falls 4.2% on Navy Jet Loss

Northrop Grumman slid 4.19% after the Pentagon awarded Boeing the lucrative multibillion-dollar development contract for the U.S. Navy's next-generation F/A-XX fighter. The loss effectively locks Northrop out of every sixth-generation manned fighter program, placing the long-term defense thesis squarely on its strategic bomber and space payloads.

Friday Payrolls to Test Rate Path

Investors closed out a turbulent September with CNN Fear & Greed frozen at 31, pivoting focus straight to Friday's government nonfarm payroll report. A moderate jobs print would solidify bets on monetary easing, but any surprise wage acceleration risks reigniting bond yield spikes ahead of major bank earnings.

Posture: With Fear at 31 and elevated Treasury yields capping multiples, we adopt a Defensive posture focused on durable, non-discretionary cash flows.

Tickers in focus: QQQ, SPY, CBOE

Upcoming earnings

  • PEP — 2026-10-08, Before Market Open
  • C — 2026-10-13, TBD
  • GS — 2026-10-13, Before Market Open
  • JNJ — 2026-10-13, TBD
  • JPM — 2026-10-13, TBD
  • UNH — 2026-10-13, Before Market Open

The day's lineup changes

No lineup changes this day.

← Tuesday, September 29, 2026 · Thursday, October 1, 2026 → · September 2026 archive · Archive