What are today's top business/market headlines?

The top business and financial market headlines for today, September 23, 2026:

1. Markets Hover Near Records; Nasdaq Sets New All-Time High

US stock indices are trading close to their historic peaks following strong corporate earnings reports. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.45% to set another all-time high of 27,244.28. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 ended virtually flat at 7,764.64, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 185 points (0.36%) to close at 51,863.69, pressured by losses in financial and energy sectors.

2. Royal Caribbean Nears Historic $3 Billion Deal for Sandals Resorts

Cruise giant Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire a 50% controlling stake in Sandals Resorts International. The proposed $3 billion deal would value the all-inclusive Caribbean resort chain at roughly $6 billion, marking the largest acquisition in Royal Caribbean's history and representing a major strategic expansion into land-based vacations. RCL shares fell about 6% following the news as investors assessed the massive capital commitment.

3. Oil Prices Dip Below $100

Global energy markets saw relief as Brent crude fell 1.1% to settle at $99.25 a barrel, briefly touching lows of under $98. While prices are down from last week’s peak of nearly $110, they remain elevated compared to pre-geopolitical conflict levels as energy markets fluctuate over Middle East supply uncertainties.

4. Fed Raises Interest Rates to Combat Sticky Inflation

The Federal Reserve enacted its first interest rate hike since 2023, attempting to cool stubborn, five-year inflation driven heavily by soaring energy costs and global supply chain disruptions. Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin signaled that further rate hikes are on the table before the end of the year. The rate-tightening announcement immediately weighed on major banking stocks, with JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo both sliding over 3%.

5. Bitcoin Surges Past $87,000 on Historic ETF Inflows

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing a massive rally, with Bitcoin surging past $87,300. The spike was fueled by close to $1 billion in U.S. spot Bitcoin ETF inflows in a single week, coupled with $648 million in short liquidations. The sudden upward momentum has renewed investor optimism for a potential run toward the $100,000 milestone by the end of the year.

6. AI Hyperscalers Face Growing "CapEx" Skepticism

Mega-cap tech companies—including Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon—are facing increasing scrutiny from analysts and investors regarding their massive AI capital expenditures and rising leverage. Concerns over a potential AI spending bubble have prompted some institutional rotation out of pure-play AI stocks and into safer dividend ETFs, gold, and inflation-protected assets.

7. SpaceX Shares Drop 17% Ahead of Imminent Supply Risk

In private secondary markets, shares of SpaceX fell 17% despite posting strong revenue and EBITDA growth from its Starlink and Starship programs. The drop is primarily attributed to near-term selling pressure, as up to 328.4 million shares are scheduled to become eligible for sale on September 24.