Markets digest, 1 October 2026: stocks and Bitcoin edge higher as the euro slips against the dollar
The S&P 500 closed at 7,666.45 and Bitcoin at $84,759.64 on Coinbase, both higher. The ECB's euro reference rate fell to 1.1298 dollars.
US stocks and the main cryptocurrencies closed slightly higher on Thursday 1 October, while the euro’s reference rate against the dollar fell. The US Energy Information Administration reported another weekly build in natural gas storage.
Stocks
The S&P 500 closed at 7,666.45, up from 7,651.54 on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up to 50,926.56 from 50,906.05, and the Nasdaq Composite also closed a little higher.
Crypto
Bitcoin ended the day at $84,759.64 on Coinbase, up from $83,482.51. Ether rose to $2,702.32 from $2,682.34. The SEC proposed rules on how investment advisers and regulated funds can hold crypto assets, including self-custody in some cases; our brief explains the proposal.
Futures and options
The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) closed at 16.39, up from 16.34.
Energy and commodities
FRED had published no oil or gas prices after Tuesday 29 September by this morning. The latest values remain WTI at $96.16 a barrel, Brent at $113.96 and Henry Hub natural gas at $3.18.
The EIA said working gas in storage was 3,415 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in the week ending 25 September, a net increase of 64 Bcf. Stocks were 79 Bcf above the five-year average and 138 Bcf below last year’s level. Separately, the EIA reported that US gas production hit a record in July; read our brief.
Metals
There were no new official metals releases on the day from the World Gold Council or the LBMA. See what moves gold prices for the factors behind the metal.
Forex
The ECB’s euro reference rate against the dollar was 1.1298, down from 1.1355 on Wednesday. The euro was quoted at 0.85373 pounds, down from 0.85463, and at 178.49 yen, up from 178.27. FRED had not yet published Thursday’s Treasury yields; the latest 10-year figure is 5.29% for Wednesday.
On the calendar
The Bureau of Labor Statistics published its September employment report at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time today: payrolls rose by 29,000 and the unemployment rate was 4.2%. Our brief has the details. The EIA’s next weekly gas storage report is due on 8 October.
- FRED: S&P 500 (SP500)
- FRED: Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQCOM)
- FRED: Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)
- FRED: Coinbase Bitcoin (CBBTCUSD)
- FRED: Coinbase Ethereum (CBETHUSD)
- FRED: CBOE Volatility Index (VIXCLS)
- FRED: WTI crude oil, Cushing (DCOILWTICO)
- FRED: Brent crude oil, Europe (DCOILBRENTEU)
- FRED: Henry Hub natural gas spot price (DHHNGSP)
- EIA Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report (week ending 25 September 2026)
- ECB euro foreign exchange reference rates (USD, GBP, JPY), 30 September–1 October 2026
- FRED: 10-year Treasury yield (DGS10)
- SEC Press Release 2026-100: SEC Proposal Would Address How Investment Advisers and Funds Can Custody Crypto Assets
- BLS: The Employment Situation, September 2026
Markets: Stocks · Crypto · Futures & Options · Energy & Commodities · Metals · Forex
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