What are today's top business/market headlines?
Here are today's top business/market headlines (September 25-26, 2026):
Markets Rally on Iran Diplomacy Hopes
Hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough in the Iran war drove oil prices lower, fueling a rebound in stocks and easing Treasury volatility, as the New York Times reported Iran has proposed a plan to end the conflict, under which the Strait of Hormuz would reopen and nuclear talks would be revived. Separately, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has proposed reopening the Strait within seven days if Washington accepts its conditions.
Stocks Close Higher Friday
U.S. equities rose slightly on Friday as Wall Street wrapped up a volatile week, with the S&P 500 up 0.3%, Nasdaq advancing 0.4%, and the Dow gaining 190 points (0.3%). A separate report noted an even stronger close, with U.S. stocks higher at the close of trade Friday as gains in Industrials, Technology and Healthcare sectors led shares higher, with the Dow adding 0.93%, the S&P 500 climbing 0.51%, and the Nasdaq up 0.48%.
Tech Movers
Shares of Akamai Technologies led technology higher, jumping more than 14% after announcing a multiyear deal with Anthropic. Microsoft was among the Dow's best performers, rising 3.66%.
Bond Market Stress & Mortgage Rates
Bond market alarms are ringing on Wall Street, with history showing financial calamities occur when rates rise rapidly like this. On the housing front, US mortgage rates have surpassed 7%, with 30-year fixed rates now at 7.49%.
US-China Trade Developments
The U.S. and China have extended a truce to keep tariffs lower for longer and rare earths flowing, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Washington for a state visit. Traders are also monitoring further negotiations, as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said more details on U.S.-China talks would be released Monday.
Corporate News
Oil Markets
Saudi Arabia's crude oil exports have surged this month despite escalating fighting with Iran-backed militants, with Riyadh exporting 6 million barrels per day in September — the highest level since the Iran war began about seven months ago. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil fell nearly 8% for the week after Tehran and Washington held talks at the UN.
Citations (16)
- Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P Live Updates for September 25 - Bloomberg
Source excerpt: “Hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough in the Iran war drove oil prices lower, fueling a rebound in stocks and easing the Treasury volatility that has ro...”
- Stock market today: Live updates - News Beep | NewsBeep.com
Source excerpt: “Also helping sentiment, oil prices slid amid optimism that the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened, as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has propo...”
- Stock market today: Live updates - News Beep | NewsBeep.com
Source excerpt: “... U.S. equities rose slightly on Friday as Wall Street gets set to wrap up a volatile week of trading, with a surge in Treasury yields rippling thro...”
- U.S. stocks higher at close of trade; Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.93% By Investing.com
Source excerpt: “BREAKING NEWS: U.S. stocks higher at close of trade; Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.93% By Investing.com Investing.com – U.S. stocks were higher a...”
- Stock market today: Live updates - News Beep | NewsBeep.com
Source excerpt: “Shares of Akamai Technologies led technology higher, jumping more than 14% after announcing a multiyear deal with Anthropic. ”
- U.S. stocks higher at close of trade; Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.93% By Investing.com
Source excerpt: “The best performers of the session on the Dow Jones Industrial Average were Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), which rose 3.66% or 18.24 points to t...”
- Stock Markets, Business News, Financials, Earnings - CNBC
Source excerpt: “Bond market alarms are ringing on Wall Street. Here’s what’s ahead ... History shows financial calamities occur when rates rise rapidly like this: ‘So...”
- Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News
Source excerpt: “US mortgage rates have surpassed 7%, with 30-year fixed rates now at a whopping 7.49%. ”
- Stock market today: Live updates
Source excerpt: “The U.S. and China have extended a truce to keep tariffs lower for longer and rare earths flowing, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesda...”
- Stock market today: Live updates - News Beep | NewsBeep.com
Source excerpt: “Meanwhile, traders were monitoring Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the U.S. this week. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC Frid...”
- Stock market news for Sept. 25, 2026
Source excerpt: “People Inc – Barry Diller's company, which also owns "Food & Wine" and "Southern Living" magazines, saw shares jump 10%. Late Thursday, The Wall Stree...”
- Business News
Source excerpt: “24, 2026 · Starbucks plans to close 250 North American stores later this week · Associated PressSept. ”
- Stock market news for Sept. 25, 2026
Source excerpt: “Genius Sports — The sports data and technology stock jumped 13% after JPMorgan initiated coverage with an overweight rating. ”
- Business News
Source excerpt: “24, 2026 · Fewer people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, as U.S. jobless claims remain at historically low levels and most Americans ...”
- Stock market news for Sept. 25, 2026
Source excerpt: “... Saudi Arabia's crude oil exports have surged this month despite a sharp escalation in fighting with Iran-backed militants, according to data ...”
- Stock Markets, Business News, Financials, Earnings - CNBC
Source excerpt: “Here’s what’s ahead ... History shows financial calamities occur when rates rise rapidly like this: ‘Something always breaks’ · Iran offers to reopen ...”