Finance

U.S. consumer confidence suffered a steep drop in September, falling 6.7 points to its lowest level since 2014 as households grew increasingly pessimistic about economic and labor market outlooks. The slide matched data indicating a significant reduction in August job openings, which fell by 256,000. Investors are now closely monitoring these cooling indicators ahead of the upcoming monthly Personal Consumption Expenditures price index release.

Shares in the technology sector experienced highly volatile intraday trading following the leak of an IPO prospectus for artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, which indicated a potential $2 trillion valuation framework. The euphoria surrounding the massive expansion plans was balanced by industry anxieties after OpenAI reportedly halted a next-generation AI model due to safety constraints. These conflicting headlines kept mega-cap tech stocks fluctuating but ultimately helped the Nasdaq avoid steeper losses seen elsewhere in the market.

Global energy dynamics remained uncertain as President Trump reportedly rejected a Middle East peace deal aimed at resolving maritime gridlocks in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the ongoing standoffs and geopolitical headlines, crude oil prices managed to ease slightly from their recent highs. The dip in oil helped cap wider stock market losses during the session, though long-term supply concerns continue to fuel underlying inflation fears.