Market Report, 2026-09-15

U.S. stocks finished lower Tuesday as rising oil prices and Treasury yields kept pressure on risk assets ahead of Wednesday’s Federal Reserve decision. The market is now pricing in with high certainty that a rate hike will take place tomorrow with subsequent rate hikes coming up after, a drastically different view from prior months, triggered by a slew of issues such as oil, AI investments, and policy related market responses.

The Dow fell 328 points to 52,093, the NASDAQ Composite dropped 0.8% to 25,982, and the S&P 500 declined 0.5% to 7,586. Energy was the clear sector outlier, rising 2.2% as Brent crude settled at $108.75 at a four-month high. Materials also advanced modestly, while most other sectors finished lower. Utilities, communication services and consumer discretionary were among the weaker groups, highlighting the pressure that elevated rates and energy costs are placing on broader market sentiment.

The 5-year Treasury yield rose 5 basis points to 4.84%, while the 10-year yield increased 5 basis points to 5.01%. Gold held steady but it is notable that its price has been bouncing between a large range because of conflicting forces impacting gold prices.

A regional manufacturing reading was notably weaker than expected, but it did little to displace rates and oil as the day’s dominant market forces.

Wednesday brings the week’s most important catalysts: retail sales in the morning, followed by the Fed’s policy decision, updated economic projections and Chair Kevin Warsh’s press conference. Adams Wealth Advisors will continue monitoring rates, energy markets and the Fed’s guidance and keep you informed.