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Why Is the US Stock Market Mixed Today (October 12)? Dow Jones Gains 0.4%, S&P 500 Slips 0.1% & Nasdaq Falls 0.3% as Oil Prices Surge and Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh; Check What Investors Should Know

Why Is the US Stock Market Mixed Today (October 12)? Dow Jones Gains 0.4%, S&P 500 Slips 0.1% & Nasdaq Falls 0.3% as Oil Prices Surge and Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh; Check What Investors Should Know
Photo credit: Sunday Guardian

US Stock Market Mixed Today (October 12): The US stock market ended mixed on Monday, October 12, 2026, as rising crude oil prices, geopolitical uncertainty and concerns about inflation kept investors cautious. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.4%, gaining around 215 points, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.3%, according to the Associated Press (AP).

US Stock Market Mixed Today

The mixed performance reflected a divide between sectors benefiting from higher energy prices and technology stocks facing pressure. Investors were also preparing for a busy week of corporate earnings and fresh US economic data that could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next interest-rate decision.

Dow Jones Today 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average outperformed the other major US stock indexes on Monday, rising 0.4%, or approximately 215 points. Gains in selected blue-chip companies helped the index advance despite uncertainty surrounding oil prices and the economic outlook.

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According to Reuters, Salesforce shares were among the contributors to the Dow’s strength after an analyst upgrade, while energy stocks also benefited from higher crude prices. However, the gains were not broad enough to lift the entire market, as investors continued to assess the impact of higher energy costs on inflation and corporate earnings.

S&P 500 Today 

The S&P 500 declined 0.1% as gains in energy and selected communication services stocks were offset by weakness elsewhere. The benchmark index remained close to its recent record levels, but the modest decline indicated that investors were reluctant to make aggressive bets ahead of key economic releases and quarterly earnings reports.

The broader market faced competing forces: higher oil prices supported energy companies but also raised concerns about business expenses, household spending and the possibility that inflation could remain elevated for longer.

Nasdaq Today 

The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.3%, underperforming the Dow as technology stocks faced pressure. Higher energy costs and elevated bond yields can weigh on growth-oriented companies because they may increase operating expenses and reduce the present value investors assign to future earnings.

Investors are also watching technology companies’ earnings and spending plans, particularly as markets continue to assess the sustainability of the artificial intelligence investment boom. The Nasdaq’s decline, however, does not by itself indicate a broader collapse in technology shares.

Why Is the US Stock Market Mixed Today?

1. Oil Prices Surge Above $106 a Barrel

Originally published by Sunday Guardian on Oct 12, 2026 Read the full article at sundayguardianlive.com
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