Chartstopper: September 18, 2026 | Nasdaq

This Week

For markets, the massive themes this week had been the Federal Reserve fee choice, developments within the Iran battle, and synthetic intelligence (AI) mannequin growth.

1. The Fed hiked 25 basis points and sees one more hike this year. The hike to three.75%-4.00% was broadly anticipated, and the Fed stated the transfer helps “a timelier return” to the Fed’s 2% inflation goal, provided that “inflation stays elevated” whereas the financial system is rising “at a stable tempo.” From right here, the median estimate calls for one more hike this 12 months, earlier than leaving charges unchanged at 4.00%-4.25% all of subsequent 12 months. Markets, nevertheless, see one other three hikes earlier than charges stabilize within the second half of 2027 within the 4.50%-4.75% vary.
2. Oil prices hover above $100 per barrel as a Saudi pipeline is set to reopen at half capacity within days and China asks Iran to assist “rein in” the Houthis. After closing its East-West pipeline final Friday following assaults, Saudi Arabia expects to reopen IT at half capability inside days and at full capability after six weeks. This pipeline helps bypass the Strait of Hormuz by way of getting oil to the Crimson Sea, however this route faces its personal points as Houthis have increasingly taken control of the southern exit from the Crimson Sea. This week, nevertheless, IT was reported that China requested Iran to help “rein in” the Houthis, which may assist ease oil costs, if profitable.
3. Debate over doubtlessly slowing frontier AI model development to mitigate potential security dangers drove a temporary selloff in chips stocks, although they’ve since recovered.

For the week, 10-year Treasury yields are up a couple of foundation factors to five% – round their highs since 2007 – whereas the Nasdaq-100® is up 1%.