Equity Indexes Advance In The 3rd Quarter – Domestic Equity Overview
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Stocks were bolstered by recent and expected Fed rate cuts, with a rally broadening from large cap stocks to mid and small cap stocks. Equities brushed off a government shutdown that started on October 1st, leading to partial data releases interruption. Equity indexes posted strong gains in the third quarter which ended September 30th, with all major benchmarks rallying to new highs. The S&P 500 rose by approximately 8.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by about 5.7%, the Nasdaq Composite gained 11.4%, and the small-cap Russell 2000 surged 12.4%.
Interest rates have become a primary determinant for the direction of the equity markets, as elevated borrowing costs continue to hinder earnings and capital investment. Investors are awaiting the start of next quarter’s earnings season to gauge the impact of tariffs and a slowing labor market on American corporations.
Sources: S&P, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Russell
Print Version: Equity-Overview-Oct-2025