## Major Index Performance - **S&P 500**: Up 0.4% to close at 5,893.62[1][4]. - **Dow Jones Industrial Average**: Down 0.1% to close at 43,389.60, after an intraday high that was down more than 148 points[1][4]. - **Nasdaq Composite**: Up 0.6% or 111.69 points to close at 18,791.81, ending a four-day losing streak[1][4]. ## Key Factors Driving Today's Market Direction - Investors were cautious ahead of the last significant week of the third-quarter 2024 earnings season[1]. - Hawkish comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell regarding future interest rate cuts. Powell indicated the Fed is in no hurry to lower rates further, citing the economy's current strength[1]. - Geopolitical tensions, including escalations in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which led to increased safe-haven buying in U.S. Treasury bonds[2]. ## Notable Sector Performance - **Top Gainers**: - Communication Services Select Sector SPDR (XLC): Up 1% - Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE): Up 1.3% - Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY): Up 0.9% - Real Estate Select Sector SPDR (XLRE): Up 0.9% - Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU): Up 0.9%[1]. - **Decliners**: Only one sector out of 11 ended in negative territory, though specific details on the declining sector are not provided[1]. ## Market Highlights - **Most Actively Traded Stocks**: No specific details provided, but Tesla Inc. (TSLA) saw significant activity with a 5.6% increase following news about potential easing of U.S. government rules on self-driving cars[1]. - **Biggest Percentage Gainers**: Tesla Inc. (TSLA) up 5.6%[1]. - **Biggest Percentage Losers**: Not specified. - **Significant Market-Moving News Events**: - Hawkish comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. - Geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine. - News about Tesla and potential regulatory changes for self-driving cars[1][2]. ## Technical Analysis - **Current Market Trend**: Mixed, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 rising while the Dow Jones fell[1][4]. - **Key Support and Resistance Levels**: Not specified. - **Trading Volume Analysis**: Total of 14.94 billion shares traded, higher than the last 20-session average of 14.12 billion. Advancers outnumbered decliners on the NYSE by a 1.71-to-1 ratio[1]. - **VIX Movement and Implications**: The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) fell 4.5% to 15.58, indicating reduced market volatility[1]. ## Forward-Looking Elements - **Pre-market Futures Indication**: Not specified. - **Key Events to Watch for Tomorrow**: Earnings reports from several giant retailers, a key global leader and largest manufacturer of AI chips, a big medical device maker, and an Internet-based behemoth[1]. - **Important Upcoming Earnings Releases**: Same as above. - **Potential Market Catalysts**: Future interest rate decisions by the Fed, geopolitical developments, and upcoming earnings reports[1][2].