What are today's top business/market headlines?

Here are today's top business and market headlines (October 1, 2026):

Markets & Global Economy

•Asian stocks had a rough start to October after a late bout of swings on Wall Street erased gains fueled by softer-than-expected US inflation data. Equity-index futures pointed to losses in South Korea and Australia and gains in Japan, while US stock contracts edged higher after the S&P 500 capped its worst month since June.

•In Australia, the Australian share market dropped at the open, following losses on Wall Street, with the ASX 200 down about 1%.

•European markets were mixed, with the Stoxx 600 down 0.5%, Germany's DAX up 0.79%, and the FTSE down 0.29%.

Oil Markets

•Oil prices fell sharply, with Brent crude dropping below $100 a barrel. However, JPMorgan noted the recovery in exports remains "uneven," with crude exports sitting at 95% of pre-war levels, though the recovery is "uneven" and refinery supply remains "constrained," according to JPMorgan's commodities chief. Due to infrastructure damage, exports of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel are estimated at only about 58% of 2025 levels, with Bank of America's commodities head noting "The biggest source of pain is the diesel market."

Federal Reserve & Politics

•Political tensions escalated as President Trump said Fed Chair Powell should be "forced" to resign, following an inspector general review.

Tech & AI

•Chip stocks were in focus after Micron prepared to report earnings amid news that OpenAI paused training of its most capable models and halted rollout of a new one for safety reasons, while Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang defended AI safety in high-profile interviews.

•Bloomberg noted the Nasdaq 100 got a boost as Micron Technology delivered a solid outlook, but warned profit margins would narrow.

•Alphabet shares rose on news of its new AI model "Argon," per CNBC's live markets coverage.

Corporate News

•CNBC reported several corporate moves: Mattel named Roger Lynch as its new CEO, Stellantis reconfirmed 2026 guidance even as shares hit a new low, and MGM's CEO left the door open to a People Inc. bid amid heating casino dealmaking.

What's Ahead

•Markets are bracing for a busy data week, with September nonfarm payrolls, unemployment data, and August factory orders due October 2, followed by September ISM Services PMI on October 5.

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

Citations (13)

1bloomberg.comNews and mediaquality 0.84
Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P Live Updates for October 1 - Bloomberg
Source excerpt: “# Asian Stocks Eye Rough Start After US Reversal: Markets Wrap Asian stocks were set to start October on a volatile note after a late bout of swings o...”
2bloomberg.comNews and mediaquality 0.84
Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P Live Updates for October 1 - Bloomberg
Source excerpt: “US stock contracts edged higher after the S&P 500 capped its worst month since June, while the Nasdaq 100 edged up 0.2% as Micron Technology Inc. deli...”
3abc.net.auNews and mediaquality 0.89
Markets live: ASX falls 0.8pc on early trade as oil prices drop below $US100 a barrel - ABC News
Source excerpt: “# Markets live: ASX falls 0.8pc on early trade as oil prices drop below $US100 a barrel The Australian share market has dropped at the open, following...”
4abc.net.auNews and mediaquality 0.89
Markets live: ASX falls 0.8pc on early trade as oil prices drop below $US100 a barrel - ABC News
Source excerpt: “Brent crude has dropped to below $US100 a barrel. ”
5abc.net.auNews and mediaquality 0.89
Markets live: ASX falls 0.8pc on early trade as oil prices drop below $US100 a barrel - ABC News
Source excerpt: “#### A JP Morgan said it was around 17.5 million barrels a day, which is sitting at 95 per cent of pre-war levels. However, the recovery is "uneven" a...”
6abc.net.auNews and mediaquality 0.89
Markets live: ASX falls 0.8pc on early trade as oil prices drop below $US100 a barrel - ABC News
Source excerpt: “Due to infrastructure damage, including at refineries, JP Morgan estimates that exports of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel are only at about half their ...”
7abc.net.auNews and mediaquality 0.89
Markets live: ASX falls 0.8pc on early trade as oil prices drop below $US100 a barrel - ABC News
Source excerpt: “"The biggest source of pain is the diesel market,” Francisco Blanch, head of global commodities at Bank of America, told CNBC on Wednesday. ”
8abc.net.auNews and mediaquality 0.89
Markets live: ASX falls 0.8pc on early trade as oil prices drop below $US100 a barrel - ABC News
Source excerpt: “Trump says Powell should be 'forced' to resign from Federal Reserve. ”
9schwab.comCompanies
Inflation Growth Slows, Sending Stocks Up Early
Source excerpt: “**Micron earnings approach amid AI crosswinds:** As **Micron** (MU) prepares to report after today's close, chip stocks stumbled on news that **OpenAI...”
10schwab.comCompanies
Inflation Growth Slows, Sending Stocks Up Early
Source excerpt: “This contrasts with **Nvidia** (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang defending AI safety in high-profile interviews. ”
11cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
Business News
Source excerpt: “# Business News MGM CEO leaves door open to People Inc. bid as casino dealmaking heats up MGM CEO leaves door open to People Inc. bid as casino dealm...”
12schwab.comCompanies
Inflation Growth Slows, Sending Stocks Up Early
Source excerpt: “**October 2:** September nonfarm payrolls, September unemployment, and August factory orders. ”
13schwab.comCompanies
Inflation Growth Slows, Sending Stocks Up Early
Source excerpt: “**October 5:** September ISM Services PMI^®. ”