U.S. stocks finished the week ended September 25, 2026, higher, but the advance was uneven. The Nasdaq Composite gained 2.1% and the S&P 500 rose 1.2%, while the Russell 2000 fell 0.8%. That gap between large technology shares and smaller companies is a better description of the week than “stocks went up.”
What moved the market this week?
Oil and bond yields continued to set the tone. Brent crude fell below $98 a barrel on Friday, easing one source of cost pressure. The Associated Press reported that the decline helped stocks recover after the 10-year Treasury yield briefly jumped near its highest level since 2007. Friday’s S&P 500 close was 7,743.41, up 0.5% on the day. The AP weekly index scorecard shows the Nasdaq’s 2.1% gain against the Russell 2000’s 0.8% decline.
The divergence matters because a narrow advance can leave traders with fewer sound opportunities than the major indexes suggest. Technology and chip shares benefited when yields and oil eased early in the week. Smaller, more rate-sensitive companies did not finish the week with the same support. Next week, watch whether breadth improves when the major indexes rise. That is an observation to test, not a forecast.
Three newly recorded PrimeFlow closed trades
The PrimeFlow public trade log, updated September 25, added three September 23 exits that were absent from the previous Desk issue:
- TMC: $4.02 entry on September 21; $4.18 exit on September 23; documented underlying-stock move of +3.98%.
- MVST: $0.68 entry on September 22; $0.72 exit on September 23; +5.88%.
- VERI: $1.22 entry on September 22; $1.29 exit on September 23; +5.74%.
These are individual closed-trade stock moves, not account returns or results produced by The 390 Method. The full public log includes losing trades. Selected wins do not represent typical results and do not predict future performance. Current Aspirant positions and live alerts are reserved for members.
The manufacturing number beneath Friday’s market
The Census Bureau’s September 25 advance durable-goods report showed August new orders virtually unchanged at $338.6 billion. Excluding transportation, orders rose 0.3%. The mix matters more than the flat headline: traders should check which industry is strengthening, then whether the relevant stock and sector confirm it. Read our closer look at durable-goods orders and backlog.
What to watch next week
The Bureau of Labor Statistics calendar schedules August job openings for Tuesday, September 29, at 10 a.m. ET. The Bureau of Economic Analysis schedules August personal income and outlays, including the PCE inflation measures, for Wednesday, September 30, at 8:30 a.m. ET. Their results are not yet known. Higher or lower readings could change how traders interpret bond yields, growth and market breadth.
The 390 Method is a course for preparing a premarket level map, classifying the session and recognizing when to pass on a setup. Its six lessons, 28 checkpoints and 11 printable desk sheets are available for a $297 one-time price. Coupon PDT200 takes $200 off, bringing the price to $97. The site offers a 30-day full store credit, not a cash refund.
Market data are through the September 25 close. Educational commentary only, not individualized investment advice. Trading stocks and options carries substantial risk, including loss of principal.
