The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) is down -0.54% today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is down -0.32%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.96%. E-mini S&P futures (ESU26) are down -0.50%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU26) are down -0.93%.

Stock indexes are falling today, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrials dropping to 5-week lows. Soaring energy prices are pushing global bond yields higher today, weighing on stocks. WTI crude oil is up more than +3% today at a 3.5-month high amid fears that the US-Iran war will persist, increasing inflation risks and prompting the world’s central banks to keep raising interest rates. The 10-year UK Gilt yield rose to a 19-year high today of 5.34%, the 10-year German Bund yield climbed to a 15-year high of 3.49%, and the 10-year T-note yield rose to a 2.75-year high of 4.92%.

Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily.

Stocks added to their losses today, and T-note yields climbed further after US Aug PPI rose more than expected, signaling persistent price pressures, and after weekly jobless claims remained low, signaling labor market strength.

US weekly initial unemployment claims fell -1,000 to 206,000, close to expectations of 205,000 and signaling a stable labor market.

US Aug PPI final demand rose +5.4% y/y, stronger than expectations of +5.3% y/y. Aug PPI ex-food and energy rose +4.6% y/y, right on expectations.

The escalating trade war between the US and Canada is also weighing on market sentiment. On Tuesday, Canada imposed tariffs of 15% to 50% on hundreds of US goods in retaliation for the US action last month to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion of imports from Canada. The US responded by moving to block imports of some Canadian products and slapping new tariffs on others, as well as seeking to bar Canadian companies from selling to US government contractors.

Oct WTI crude oil prices (CLV26) are up more than +3% today at a 3.5-month high. Crude prices are climbing after Iran said that it is ready for a more intense war and will escalate counterstrikes if the US continues attacking its territory and infrastructure. The prospect of a lengthy conflict that limits crude supplies from the Middle East is underpinning crude oil prices. Crude oil prices added to their gains today after Saudi Arabia told OPEC that its crude production in August fell to 6.238 million bpd, the lowest since 1990.

The markets are discounting a 70% chance of a +25 bp rate hike at the next FOMC meeting on September 15-16.

Overseas stock markets are mixed today. The Euro Stoxx 50 dropped to a 6-week low and is down -0.64%. China's Shanghai Composite closed down -0.43%. Japan's Nikkei-225 Stock Average closed up +0.20%.

December 10-year T-notes (ZNZ6) are down by -17 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield is up +7.9 bp to 4.920%. T-notes tumbled to a 2.75-year nearest futures low, and the 10-year T-note yield rose to a 2.75-year high of 4.922%. T-notes are under pressure from higher crude oil prices, which are boosting inflation expectations. WTI crude oil is up more than +4% today at a 3.5-month high. Supply pressures are also weighing on T-notes as the Treasury will auction $22 billion of 30-year T-bonds later today. T-notes added to their losses today after Aug PPI rose more than expected.

European government bond yields are moving higher today. The 10-year German bund yield climbed to a new 15-year high of 3.488% and is up +4.2 bp to 3.485%. The 10-year UK gilt yield rose to a 19-year high of 5.343% and is up +7.5 bp to 5.337%.

The ECB, as expected, raised the deposit facility rate by 25 bp to 2.50% and said inflation will stay above 2% for an "extended period."

The ECB raised its 2026 Eurozone GDP forecast to +0.9% from a prior forecast of +0.8%, and kept its 2026 inflation ex-food and energy forecast unchanged at 2.5%.

Markets are discounting an 80% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at the ECB’s next meeting on October 29.

Chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks are sliding today, pressuring the broader market. CoreWeave is down more than -6% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100, and ARM Holdings (ARM), Intel (INTC), and Western Digital (WDC) are down more than -4%. Also, KLA Corp (KLAC), Lam Research (LRCX), Micron Technology (MU), and SanDisk (SNDK) are down more than -3%, and Applied Materials (AMAT), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Qualcomm (QCOM) are down more than -2%. Finally, Nvidia (NVDA) is down more than -2% to lead losers in the Dow Jones Industrials.

Copper-producing stocks are falling today, with copper prices down more than -4% after Reuters reported that the White House has not yet made a decision on refined copper tariffs as it weighs concerns of higher prices raising manufacturing costs against the potential benefits of encouraging more domestic mining. Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) is down more than -7%, and Southern Copper (SCCO) is down more than -6%. Also, Rio Tinto Plc (RIO) is down more than -4%, and Newmont Corp (NEM) is down more than -2%.

Defensive health care stocks are moving higher today amid the overall market slump. Centene (CNC) is up more than +5% to lead gainers in the S&P 500, and Elevance Health (ELV) and Molina Healthcare (MOH) are up more than +5%. Also, Humana (HUM) is up more than +2%, and UnitedHealth Group (UNH), the Cigna Group (CI), and CVS Health Corp (CVS) are up more than +1%.

Cooper Cos (COO) is down more than -16% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q3 net sales of $1.07 billion, below the consensus of $1.10 billion, and cutting its full-year revenue forecast to $4.23 billion to $4.25 billion from a previous forecast of $4.29 billion to $4.32 billion, weaker than the consensus of $4.31 billion.

American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) is down more than -13% after reporting Q2 comparable sales rose +6.00%, weaker than the consensus of +6.47%.

Driven Brands Holdings (DRVN) is down more than 2% after Bank of America Global Research double-downgraded the stock to underperform from buy with a price target of $12.

AeroVironment (AVAV) is up more than +7% after reporting Q1 revenue of $480.5 million, stronger than the consensus of $455.8 million.

Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) is up more than +1% after Wolfe Research upgraded the stock to outperform from peer perform with a price target of $180.

Adobe Inc (ADBE), Copart Inc (CPRT), Macy's Inc (M), Oracle Corp (ORCL).

On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.