What are today's top business/market headlines?

Here's a roundup of today's top business and market headlines (September 23, 2026):

Markets & Global Trade

•Asian stocks rose after a rally in chipmakers drove the Nasdaq 100 Index to its first record since June, while falling oil prices added support as diplomatic efforts to end the war with Iran progressed. MSCI's Asia Pacific equity index climbed 0.3%, marking a sixth straight day of gains, with Japanese markets closed for a holiday, while bellwether chip stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix climbed.

•Japan's financial markets are undergoing major shifts—from surging bond yields to US intervention to support the yen—with consequences for investors and borrowing costs around the globe.

Geopolitics Weighing on Oil & Markets

•In an address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump said he has a big decision to make on Iran — either strike a deal to end the war or "annihilate" the Islamic Republic — though he suggested a deal is likely after the midterm elections.

•U.S. equity markets opened higher earlier this week supported by lower oil prices, with WTI crude extending its decline toward $90 per barrel amid reports that Saudi Arabia has been moving additional supply through the Strait of Hormuz.

US-China Relations

•Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng concluded talks in New York with the US side proposing a new AI safety notification mechanism for Trump and Xi to consider at their summit this week.

Corporate & Deal News

•Paramount and state attorneys general have reportedly settled the antitrust lawsuit, allowing the Warner Bros. Discovery merger to proceed.

•Jamie Dimon said hyperscaler AI spending could hit $1 trillion next year.

•J.B. Hunt stock plunged 13% after the company warned third-quarter earnings will fall short.

Economic Data & Fed Watch

•U.S. private employers added an average of 20,000 jobs per week for the four weeks ending September 5, up from 16,750 in the previous report — the third consecutive report showing stronger job gains.

•Today's calendar includes preliminary S&P Global PMI readings for manufacturing and services, plus earnings from Paychex, Cintas, and General Mills, with the closely watched Trump-Xi summit set for Thursday.

Crypto

•Bitcoin hit its highest level since January at $86,000, as the market debates whether the "crypto winter" is over.

Let me know if you'd like a deeper dive into any of these stories.

Citations (11)

1bloomberg.comNews and mediaquality 0.84
Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P Live Updates for September 23 - Bloomberg
Source excerpt: “Asian stocks rose after a rally in chipmakers drove the Nasdaq 100 Index to its first record since June, while falling oil prices added support as dip...”
evidence, article. Claim: Asian stocks rose as chipmaker rally drove Nasdaq 100 to first record since June, with falling oil prices adding support.
2bloomberg.comNews and mediaquality 0.84
Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P Live Updates for September 23 - Bloomberg
Source excerpt: “MSCI’s Asia Pacific equity index climbed 0.3%, a sixth straight day of gains, with Japanese markets closed for a holiday. MSCI’s Asia Pacific equity ...”
statistic, article. Claim: MSCI Asia Pacific index climbed 0.3%, sixth straight day of gains, with Japanese markets closed for a holiday.
3cnn.comNews and mediaquality 0.66
Business News - Latest Headlines on CNN Business | CNN Business
Source excerpt: “From surging bond yields to US intervention to support the yen, Japan’s financial markets are undergoing major shifts that have consequences for inves...”
evidence, home page. Claim: Japan's financial markets are undergoing major shifts, from surging bond yields to US intervention to support the yen.
4bloomberg.comNews and mediaquality 0.84
Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P Live Updates for September 23 - Bloomberg
Source excerpt: “Markets · In an address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump said he has a big decision to make on Iran - either make a deal...”
attribution, article. Claim: Trump told the UN General Assembly he has a big decision on Iran: make a deal or annihilate.
5edwardjones.comCompanies
Stock Market News Today | Edward Jones
Source excerpt: “Tuesday 9/22/2026 a.m. Markets open higher as oil prices extend their decline – U.S. equity markets are higher in early trading on Tuesday, supported ...”
evidence, data page. Claim: US equity markets opened higher supported by lower oil prices.
6edwardjones.comCompanies
Stock Market News Today | Edward Jones
Source excerpt: “In energy markets, WTI crude is extending its recent decline near $90 per barrel amid reports that Saudi Arabia has been moving additional supply thro...”
statistic, data page. Claim: WTI crude extending decline toward $90 per barrel amid reports Saudi Arabia moving more supply through Hormuz.
7cnn.comNews and mediaquality 0.66
Business News - Latest Headlines on CNN Business | CNN Business
Source excerpt: “Bessent proposes AI safety notifications in talks with China ahead of Xi-Trump meeting · US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier ...”
evidence, home page. Claim: Bessent and He Lifeng concluded talks, with US proposing an AI safety notification mechanism ahead of Trump-Xi summit.
8cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
Business News
Source excerpt: “Here are 4 things to expect ... Paramount and state AGs settle lawsuit, allowing Warner Bros. merger to proceed ... Trump discloses more than 1,100 Ju...”
evidence, home page. Claim: Paramount and state attorneys general settled lawsuit, allowing Warner Bros. Discovery merger to proceed.
9cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
International Business, World News & Global Stock Market Analysis
Source excerpt: “threatens to 'shut down' Iranian airlines as Houthis tighten pressure · 7 Hours AgoJamie Dimon says hyperscaler AI spending could hit $1 trillion next...”
attribution, home page. Claim: Jamie Dimon said hyperscaler AI spending could hit $1 trillion next year.
10edwardjones.comCompanies
Stock Market News Today | Edward Jones
Source excerpt: “Employment data shows firmer job growth – U.S. private employers added an average of 20,000 jobs per week for the four weeks ending September 5, up fr...”
statistic, data page. Claim: US private employers added an average of 20,000 jobs per week for four weeks ending September 5.
11cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
International Business, World News & Global Stock Market Analysis
Source excerpt: “These four are on Josh Brown's list ... Bitcoin hits highest level since January at $86,000, as the market debates whether the 'crypto winter' is over...”
statistic, home page. Claim: Bitcoin hit highest level since January at $86,000 as market debates whether crypto winter is over.