What are today's top business/market headlines?

Here's a roundup of today's top business and market headlines (Monday, October 26, 2026):

Markets Overview
Stocks struggled to recover from a volatile week as investors braced for more earnings from megacap tech companies that will offer clues on whether the recent pressure on the artificial intelligence trade will persist, while Treasuries rose as crude oil fell. MSCI's Asia Pacific equities gauge dropped 0.1% after swinging between small gains and losses, while futures for Wall Street benchmarks made a modest gain.

Big Week Ahead for Earnings
This is shaping up to be a pivotal week on Wall Street. Microsoft and Alphabet report on Wednesday after the close, a few hours after the Federal Reserve's rate decision, and Amazon follows on Thursday evening. The FOMC meeting itself kicks off midweek — no Monday FOMC decision is scheduled, as the FOMC meeting begins October 27–28.

Key Corporate News

•Pepsi renewed its contract with Taco Bell days after KFC switched to Coke in the U.S.

•American Airlines expects a deeper 2026 loss on pricier fuel, while Southwest Airlines also cut its 2026 profit forecast on higher fuel costs.

•David's Bridal plans to spin off its AI platform Pearl into a publicly traded company.

•Berkshire Hathaway shares hit new all-time highs, shaking off recent "Buffett blues."

•Audi announced a new $4 billion plant in the U.S., citing tariffs and growth ambitions as key drivers.

Geopolitical/Macro Pressure Points

•Oil prices climbed to their highest level since May amid war worries, while there are reports the US is expected to remove 50% tariffs on some Canadian products as soon as today.

•Protests across France over inequality have again descended into violence, adding to European market jitters.

•AI funding fears have rattled Wall Street, prompting many investors to adjust their portfolios.

Market Technicals
One analytics outlet noted that the session bias was bearish heading into Monday, with SPY and IWM ETFs declining Friday, the VIX rising, and the 10-year yield moving higher, while QQQ was relatively stronger but remained well below its moving averages. Energy was flagged as the best relative-strength sector, with XLE up 2.60%, followed by semiconductors and technology.

This Week's Earnings Highlights
Beyond the "Magnificent Seven" names, a packed slate includes Coca-Cola, HSBC, Novartis, Boeing, S&P Global, HCA Healthcare, Freeport-McMoRan, Johnson Controls, and UPS reporting Tuesday before the market open.

Overall, markets are in a cautious, wait-and-see mode ahead of a jam-packed week combining Big Tech earnings, the Fed decision, and ongoing geopolitical risk from the Middle East and Europe.

Citations (13)

1bloomberg.comNews and mediaquality 0.84
Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P Live Updates for October 26 - Bloomberg
Source excerpt: “# Stocks Under Pressure Before Earnings, Oil Drops: Markets Wrap Stocks struggled to recover from a volatile week as investors braced for more earning...”
2bloomberg.comNews and mediaquality 0.84
Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P Live Updates for October 26 - Bloomberg
Source excerpt: “MSCI Inc.’s Asia Pacific equities gauge dropped 0.1% after swinging between small gains and losses. Futures for Wall Street benchmarks made a modest g...”
3stocktitan.netData and tools
Earnings Calendar for the Week of October 26, 2026
Source excerpt: “Microsoft and Alphabet report on Wednesday after the close, a few hours after the Federal Reserve’s rate decision, and Amazon follows on Thursday even...”
4strongbuyanalytics.comLow provenance
Stock Market Outlook for Monday, October 26, 2026
Source excerpt: “| | Highest-impact scheduled time | 10:30 AM ET: Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey; no Monday FOMC decision is scheduled. ”
5cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
Business News
Source excerpt: “# Business News Amelia Lucas an hour ago Why popular airplanes are getting scrapped years early Why popular airplanes are getting scrapped years ear...”
6cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
Stock Markets, Business News, Financials, Earnings - CNBC
Source excerpt: “Here's what analysts say - 21 Hours Ago Democrats challenge Trump’s bid to block Alaska Senate certification - October 24, 2026 Buy these top tech ...”
7cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
Stock Markets, Business News, Financials, Earnings - CNBC
Source excerpt: “## Latest News - 43 Min Ago Audi: Tariffs, growth ambitions led to new $4 billion plant in U.S. - 2 Hours Ago Here are 4 big things we're watching in ...”
8investinglive.comNot yet classified
Economic and event calendar in Asia Monday, October 26, 2026 - RBA speaker soon
Source excerpt: “- investingLive Americas market news wrap: War worries boost oil to the highest since May - Trump: We may do another operation against Iran - The Japa...”
9cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
International Business, World News & Global Stock Market Analysis
Source excerpt: “CNBC International is the world leader for news on business, technology, China, trade, oil prices, the Middle East and markets. ”
10cnbc.comNews and mediaquality 0.85
International Business, World News & Global Stock Market Analysis
Source excerpt: “Here's what analysts say - 23 Hours Ago Democrats challenge Trump’s bid to block Alaska Senate certification - October 24, 2026 AI funding fears rattl...”
11strongbuyanalytics.comLow provenance
Stock Market Outlook for Monday, October 26, 2026
Source excerpt: “## Decision Dashboard | Item | Readout | | --- | --- | | Session bias | Bearish: SPY ETF and IWM ETF declined on Friday, SPY ETF closed just below its...”
12strongbuyanalytics.comLow provenance
Stock Market Outlook for Monday, October 26, 2026
Source excerpt: “The FOMC meeting begins October 27–28.\[1]\[2] | | Best relative-strength area | Energy, with XLE up 2.60%, followed by semiconductors and technology ...”
13stocktitan.netData and tools
Earnings Calendar for the Week of October 26, 2026
Source excerpt: “### Tuesday, October 27 #### Before the open | Company | Call (ET) | Date | Consensus EPS | Year-ago EPS | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Coca-Cola...”