Finance

Major U.S. equity indexes recorded a mixed closing performance on the final day of the third quarter, with the Nasdaq Composite managed a modest 0.2% gain while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.3% and 0.9% respectively. The downward trajectory locked in substantial monthly losses for September, driven primarily by persistent fixed-income volatility and shifting monetary policy outlooks.

August Personal Consumption Expenditures data showed a lower-than-anticipated monthly expansion of 0.3% for the headline index and 0.2% for core inflation. Despite the cooling indicator, Federal Reserve officials emphasized that annual price growth remains well above their target, prompting markets to anticipate additional interest rate hikes extending into next year.

Crude oil benchmarks maintained their upward pressure, with Brent crude hovering near $103 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate settling around $89.55. Supply worries stemming from Middle Eastern transport disruptions continue to anchor the energy market, posing ongoing risks to corporate profit margins and consumer spending habits.