Major ETF Proxies Split as Dow Lags and Nasdaq Edges Higher
For the September 30 session, the large-cap ETF proxies moved in different directions: the Nasdaq-100 proxy (QQQ) closed up 0.25% while the Dow proxy (DIA) fell 0.84% and the S&P 500 proxy (SPY) slipped 0.21%. Small caps, as tracked by IWM, declined 0.40%. Note that these are exchange-traded fund proxies, not the indices themselves, and the data feed for this brief was flagged as degraded, with 210 tickers excluded for lacking a prior-session close.
Key takeaways
- SPY closed at 762.63 (-0.21%), QQQ at 739.77 (+0.25%), DIA at 508.55 (-0.84%), and IWM at 277.89 (-0.40%) on September 30.
- The spread between the Nasdaq-100 proxy and the Dow proxy exceeded one percentage point; the packet contains no evidence establishing a cause.
- Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said inflation is 'still too high' even after softer-than-expected PCE data, while describing the labor market as 'pretty good.'
- Energy policy remained in focus, with reporting that the administration is weighing a diesel export ban and has asked European partners to release stockpiles.
- Data quality caveat: the feed was marked degraded, and no eligible recent Yahoo Finance headlines were available.
Some inputs were unavailable for this brief.
- Polygon: 210 tickers without a prior-session close were excluded.
- RSS Yahoo Finance: no eligible recent headlines.
Markets
| Ticker and name | Change | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SPYS&P 500 ETF proxy | −0.21% | $762.63 |
| QQQNasdaq-100 ETF proxy | +0.25% | $739.77 |
| DIADow Jones ETF proxy | −0.84% | $508.55 |
| IWMRussell 2000 ETF proxy | −0.40% | $277.89 |
Indices shown via ETF proxies.
Kashkari: inflation 'still too high' despite softer PCE
In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday evening, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said inflation remains too high even after a softer-than-expected PCE reading, and characterized the labor market as 'pretty good.' The packet does not include the underlying PCE figures or any policy-path commitment.
Diesel export ban under consideration as US reportedly seeks European stockpile release
President Trump said he is 'thinking about' a diesel export ban but acknowledged it could have a 'negative impact' on gasoline, with the US oil industry warning on prices. Separately, Reuters reported the administration asked the EU to draw down 120 million barrels of diesel over six months; one analysis frames the episode as a refining rather than a crude shortage.
AI headlines continue across policy, products and litigation risk
Alphabet released Gemini 4 Argon, described as its most advanced model, and separately signaled plans for an orbital AI data center; OpenAI said it identified an attempt to extract protected model reasoning, linking some activity to China's Moonshot AI. A Senate subcommittee also examined 'rogue AI' risks, with Sen. Hawley saying OpenAI's Sam Altman declined to testify.
Media consolidation: co-CEO named for planned Paramount–WBD combination
Paramount CEO David Ellison said outgoing Mattel chief Ynon Kreiz will serve as co-CEO of the anticipated Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery combination. Elsewhere in dealmaking, MGM's CEO left the door open to a bid for People Inc. after People Inc. withdrew its prior proposal for the rest of MGM, per a Wall Street Journal report cited by CNBC.
Top movers
US session of 2026-09-30. Close-to-close change. Prices in USD.
Gainers
| Ticker and name | Change | Price |
|---|---|---|
| NIVFNIVF | +133.33% | $0.17 |
| TGETGE | +86.75% | $1.55 |
| GOWGOW | +75.70% | $3.18 |
| CMCTCMCT | +52.60% | $2.93 |
| TNONTNON | +49.82% | $4.09 |
| AHGAHG | +30.25% | $0.90 |
| PACBPACB | +29.51% | $2.37 |
| FNGRFNGR | +28.25% | $0.18 |
| MSGYMSGY | +27.48% | $5.66 |
| XRPNXRPN | +27.13% | $16.40 |
Losers
| Ticker and name | Change | Price |
|---|---|---|
| LQDALQDA | −57.19% | $30.26 |
| PIIIWPIIIW | −56.82% | $0.01 |
| DKIDKI | −38.43% | $1.57 |
| RFLRFL | −34.98% | $1.32 |
| CVRXCVRX | −33.46% | $1.75 |
| LESLLESL | −26.54% | $0.16 |
| SVRNSVRN | −25.77% | $49.98 |
| MSOXMSOX | −24.28% | $2.37 |
| AIBAIB | −22.22% | $1.33 |
| SDEVSDEV | −20.80% | $2.59 |
Sources
- These bond strategies can help you get a safe 5% return on your cash · MarketWatch
- Why Micron’s big earnings report isn’t lifting the stock · MarketWatch
- Why American investors should care as France’s bond market stumbles · MarketWatch
- A tough job market is pushing more young Americans to make a big bet: on themselves · MarketWatch
- Cars have become unaffordable for many Americans. Here’s what the numbers show. · MarketWatch
- U.S. reportedly asks Germany and France to release diesel stockpiles: What that means for a U.S. ban on exports of the fuel · MarketWatch
- The stock market is a hollow tree that could be about to snap, warns bond king Gundlach · MarketWatch
- My wife never went back to work after raising our kids. Do I have to share my retirement savings 50/50? · MarketWatch
- The latest oil-price shock rippling through the economy is a refining crisis — not a crude crisis · MarketWatch
- Google is sending its first AI data center to space · MarketWatch
- UK Prime Minister Burnham says Iran 'played a part' in British air base incident · CNBC
- AI race heats up as OpenAI flags alleged model-copying campaign · CNBC
- Trump’s AI lunch included every major tech company. Except Apple · CNBC
- Passengers and crew foil co-pilot's apparent attempt to crash FlyDubai flight to Israel · CNBC
- Fed's Kashkari says inflation is 'still too high' even after softer-than-expected PCE data, labor market is 'pretty good' · CNBC
- David Ellison names Ynon Kreiz co-CEO of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery · CNBC
- Cramer says 'frozen' conditions are holding many stocks back. Here's what could change that · CNBC
- Trump 'thinking about' diesel export ban, but says it could have 'negative impact' on gasoline · CNBC
- Google rolls out Gemini 4 Argon, its most advanced AI model · CNBC
- Treasury launches student loan support center as new data show 9.3 million borrowers in default · CNBC
- Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich to help Pentagon with warfare initiative, Hegseth says · CNBC
- Sen. Hawley: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declined to testify at rogue AI hearing · CNBC
- Grindr expands beyond dating with $250 million telehealth acquisition of PurposeMed · CNBC
- Fed watchdog finds renovation failures, but no grounds for criminal referral · CNBC
- MGM CEO leaves door open to People Inc. bid as casino dealmaking heats up · CNBC
AIK MARKET UPDATE is for information only and is not financial advice. It is generated automatically and may contain errors.