Nasdaq-100 Proxy Gains While Broader Gauges Slip; Rate Path in Focus
In the September 18, 2026 session, the ETF proxies tracked in this brief diverged: the Nasdaq-100 proxy (QQQ) closed up 0.63%, while the S&P 500 (SPY), Dow (DIA) and Russell 2000 (IWM) proxies finished lower by 0.12%, 0.48% and 0.47% respectively. Headlines in the packet centered on questions about how far the Federal Reserve will go with rate increases, a reported rebound in chip stocks, and a sharp decline in a clinical-stage biotech. Note that these are exchange-traded fund proxies, not the indices themselves, and this brief was generated with a degraded data feed.
Key takeaways
- ETF proxies split: QQQ +0.63% to 721.45; SPY -0.12% to 761.69; DIA -0.48% to 515.88; IWM -0.47% to 284.10 for the September 18 session.
- CNBC reported that remarks from Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh following this week's decision to raise interest rates left Wall Street uncertain about the path ahead; a separate headline reported the 2-year Treasury yield reached its highest level since 2024.
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals (XENE) was among the session's largest decliners at -30.7%, coinciding with coverage of side-effect data for its drug candidate.
- Leveraged and inverse products (MSTZ, SMST) featured among the biggest percentage losers; such vehicles amplify daily moves and are not representative of broad market direction.
- Data quality note: the brief's status is degraded, and 206 tickers were excluded from the movers screen for lacking a prior-session close. No official index levels, Treasury yields or commodity prices were supplied in the packet.
Some inputs were unavailable for this brief.
- Polygon: 206 tickers without a prior-session close were excluded.
Markets
| Ticker and name | Change | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SPYS&P 500 ETF proxy | −0.12% | $761.69 |
| QQQNasdaq-100 ETF proxy | +0.63% | $721.45 |
| DIADow Jones ETF proxy | −0.48% | $515.88 |
| IWMRussell 2000 ETF proxy | −0.47% | $284.10 |
Indices shown via ETF proxies.
Fed rate path uncertain after this week's hike
CNBC reported that Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh both explained the central bank's decision to raise rates this week and raised questions about what comes next, leaving investors debating how far tightening will go. A separate report stated the 2-year Treasury yield hit its highest level since 2024; the packet does not include the specific yield level.
Chip stocks reported higher as major gauges finish mixed
Investor's Business Daily reported a rebound in semiconductor shares during the session, while a separate market wrap described stocks finishing mostly higher alongside falling crude prices. The tech-heavy QQQ proxy outperformed the other proxies in our data, though we cannot confirm a causal link between the two.
Xenon Pharmaceuticals among the session's steepest decliners
XENE closed at $39.75, down 30.7% from the prior close of $57.35, on volume of roughly 17.9 million shares. Investor's Business Daily published coverage the same day regarding side effects tied to the company's azetukalner program; the packet does not include the underlying company disclosure.
AI oversight remains a live policy and corporate theme
CNBC reported that California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order aimed at AI oversight, and that Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman described OpenAI's recently disclosed model-behavior incidents as a 'serious situation.' The market impact of these items is not established by the supplied data.
Top movers
US session of 2026-09-18. Close-to-close change. Prices in USD.
Gainers
| Ticker and name | Change | Price |
|---|---|---|
| IMCCIMCC | +143.10% | $4.23 |
| WALDWWALDW | +102.86% | $0.01 |
| QNMEQNME | +92.25% | $0.56 |
| REFRREFR | +68.49% | $0.65 |
| GIPRGIPR | +63.44% | $0.72 |
| MRNOMRNO | +56.75% | $0.34 |
| TJGCTJGC | +52.95% | $16.84 |
| ZTGZTG | +50.83% | $1.81 |
| TNMGTNMG | +43.87% | $3.87 |
| AMBRAMBR | +34.01% | $1.97 |
Losers
| Ticker and name | Change | Price |
|---|---|---|
| DCXDCX | −69.89% | $0.13 |
| MKDWMKDW | −64.12% | $2.63 |
| PAAIPAAI | −55.09% | $1.50 |
| SDSTSDST | −50.32% | $0.13 |
| FRGTFRGT | −35.48% | $0.63 |
| DAICDAIC | −33.02% | $3.55 |
| MSTZMSTZ | −32.66% | $2.82 |
| SMSTSMST | −32.55% | $13.84 |
| XENEXENE | −30.69% | $39.75 |
| WHLRWHLR | −29.06% | $0.27 |
Sources
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- Anthropic selects Accenture as first embedded evaluator to help implement Amodei's slowdown proposal · CNBC
- OpenAI's latest AI revelation is a 'serious situation,' Microsoft's Suleyman tells CNBC · CNBC
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- Netflix Stock Downgraded To Sell As Viewer Engagement Wanes · Yahoo Finance
- This Biotech Surged 50% On Positive Data In March. Now, It's Completely Gone. · Yahoo Finance
- Palantir CEO offers surprising solution to AI threats that involves Washington, D.C. · Yahoo Finance
- Nike parts ways with Kylian Mbappé; soccer superstar signs with On · CNBC
- Elon Musk talks up AI safety while fighting regulation in wild week of strange alliances · CNBC
- California Gov. Newsom issues executive order to rein in AI 'before it's too late' · CNBC
- Fed staff should have known Silicon Valley Bank was vulnerable, new report finds · CNBC
- Three words from Kevin Warsh have Wall Street wondering how far the Fed will go with rate hikes · CNBC
- McDonald's is the new 'Value Meal,' says trader Mike Khouw · CNBC
- SpaceX scores another $950 million from NASA for 3 more crewed flights to ISS · CNBC
- JPMorgan, Citigroup CEOs attending Trump's state dinner for China's Xi: Sources · CNBC
AIK MARKET UPDATE is for information only and is not financial advice. It is generated automatically and may contain errors.