Stocks ended last week lower as disappointing Q3 corporate reports led to a tech-led selloff that deepened on Friday.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.57 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.00 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.85 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.85 percent.1,2
Early Enthusiasm
The AI trade got a fresh boost to kick off the week as one of the largest AI platforms filed for an initial public offering. Investors also appeared upbeat about one of the biggest weeks for Q3 corporate earnings results.
Monday’s momentum extended into Tuesday’s session, while falling oil prices over both days added to investor enthusiasm.3
Then midweek, the Fed held rates steady as expected, which was met with mixed trading. But all three averages closed modestly higher on Wednesday. Over the first three days of the week, the Nasdaq rose more than 2 percent and the S&P 500 added more than 1½ percent.4
Thursday’s session opened on a down note following mixed Q3 corporate results from two of the largest tech giants. Despite a stronger-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) report and the fact that seven out of the 11 S&P 500 sectors advanced, stocks remained under pressure throughout the day.5
Then Friday, the tech-led selloff deepened as traders appeared to favor more defensive sectors as the month closed out. The Nasdaq declined nearly 3 percent over the session.6
Source: YCharts.com, October 31, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, October 26 to Friday, October 30. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points.
Upbeat Q3 GDP Report
The Fed’s decision last Wednesday to keep short-term interest rates unchanged was expected. But two Fed officials voted for raising rates, which was a bit of a surprise.7
Another surprise last week was news that the economy grew 3.4 percent in Q3, according to the Commerce Department’s initial estimate. That beat economists’ expectations of 3.1 percent growth but, more importantly, marked an acceleration from Q2, when GDP grew 2.2 percent.8
This Week: Key Economic Data
Monday: Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)—Manufacturing. Construction Spending.
Tuesday: Job Openings & Labor Turnover. Factory Orders.
Wednesday: ADP National Employment Report (private sector). Trade Balance. PMI—Services.
Thursday: Productivity and Costs. Weekly Jobless Claims.
Friday: Employment Report. U. Michigan Consumer Survey. Consumer Credit.
Source: Investor’s Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar: October 30, 2026.
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Monday: Apple Inc. (AAPL), Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR), Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX), Marriott International, Inc. (MAR)
Tuesday: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), Amgen Inc. (AMGN), Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET), Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Eaton Corporation (ETN), Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC), Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG)
Wednesday: QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM), McDonald’s Corporation (MCD), Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER), CVS Health Corporation (CVS), McKesson Corporation (MCK), Datadog, Inc. (DDOG)
Thursday: ConocoPhillips (COP), Cloudflare, Inc. (NET), Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH), The Southern Company (SO), Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB), Duke Energy Corporation (DUK)
Friday: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A/BRK.B)
Source: Zacks, October 30, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice.
“Things are only impossible until they’re not.”
– Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart)
Better Ways to Measure Your Health
The number on the scale tells only part of your health story. Try these approaches to get a fuller picture of your progress:
- Keep a journal and track your healthy habits — working out, eating well, getting enough sleep. Celebrating small victories keeps you motivated for the long haul.
- Take weekly progress photos in the same pose, outfit, and lighting. Comparing them over time can reveal changes the scale simply won’t show.
- Check in on your energy levels, skin clarity, and digestion. A healthy routine does far more for your body than any single number can capture.
Tip adapted from Daily Burn9
Use AI to Declutter Your Writing
Even experienced writers benefit from a second set of eyes. Paste any draft—an email, a report, a presentation—into an AI chat and ask it to identify sentences that are too long, jargon that could be simplified, or points that could be made more directly. Try the prompt: “Edit this for clarity and concision without changing my voice.” You may be surprised how much stronger your writing becomes with just a few targeted suggestions.
Tip adapted from indisputably.org10
You throw it out when you need to use it. You bring it up when you don’t. As you travel, it goes with you. What is it?
Last Week’s Riddle: I am a port city in Canada, a state in southeast Australia, a big lake in Africa, and a renowned queen. What is my name?
Answer: Victoria.
The Porch of the Caryatids
Athens, Attica, Greece
Footnotes and Sources
1. WSJ.com, October 30, 2026
2. Investing.com, October 30, 2026
3. CNBC.com, October 27, 2026
4. WSJ.com, October 28, 2026
5. CNBC.com, October 29, 2026
6. CNBC.com, October 30, 2026
7. WSJ.com, October 28, 2026
8. WSJ.com, October 29, 2026
9. Daily Burn, July 21, 2026
10. indisputably.org, July 22, 2026