US stocks close mixed after August PCE inflation data

Major Wall Street stock indexes reported mixed results on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The move followed August PCE inflation data that aligned with market expectations, easing expectations of short-term interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve.

The Nasdaq was the only major US index in positive territory, rising 0.24% to 26,861.06 points. In contrast, the S&P 500 fell 0.25% to 7,651.54 points, and the Dow Jones lost 0.86% to end at 50,906.05 points.

Analysts from Monex stated that investor attention remains focused on the possibility that the Federal Reserve will maintain restrictive monetary policy for longer. High oil prices continue to fuel inflationary pressures, keeping Treasury bond yields elevated and strengthening the dollar. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 1.16% to 90.42 dollars per barrel, while Brent crude rose 0.92% to 103.53 dollars per barrel.

International markets were also mixed. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 climbed 1.94% to 66,753.72 points, while in Europe, France's CAC 40 fell 0.89% to 7,964.51 points. In Mexico, the S&P/BMV IPC dropped 1.38% to 64,214.36 points, and the FTSE BIVA declined 1.34% to 1,302.05 points.