Markets digest, 26 October 2026: Dow and Nasdaq rise as the euro firms against the pound and yen
The Dow closed at 52,361.58 and the Nasdaq Composite at 26,169.380. Bitcoin ended at $80,056.43 and the euro rose to 176.15 yen.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite both closed higher on Monday 26 October. Bitcoin edged up and Ether was almost unchanged, while the euro firmed against the pound and the yen and eased slightly against the dollar.
Stocks
The Nasdaq Composite closed at 26,169.380, up from 25,955.340 on Friday, and the Dow at 52,361.58, up from 52,215.16. FRED had not published Monday’s S&P 500 close at the time of writing; its latest is 7,623.68 on Friday 23 October. On Monday FINRA published new rules and margin interpretations for binary options, and a new rule on brokers’ outside activities; read our brief on binary options and our brief on Rule 3290.
Crypto
Bitcoin ended Monday at $80,056.43 on Coinbase, up from $79,914.39 on Sunday. Ether was almost unchanged at $2,320.66, against $2,321.28.
Futures and options
FRED had not published Monday’s VIX close at the time of writing; on Friday it closed at 19.45. On Monday the CFTC signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Basketball Association on the integrity of prediction markets; read our brief.
Energy and commodities
FRED’s latest oil and gas prices are still for Tuesday 20 October: WTI at $107.89 a barrel, down from $110.01 on Monday 19 October, Brent at $115.22, down from $118.82, and Henry Hub natural gas at $3.10, down from $3.28.
Metals
There were no official metals releases from the LBMA or the World Gold Council on Monday.
Forex
The ECB’s euro reference rate against the dollar was 1.1188, down from 1.1193 on Friday. The euro was quoted at 0.8382 pounds, up from 0.83728, and at 176.15 yen, up from 175.51. For when each currency centre is open, see our guide to FX trading sessions and liquidity.
On the calendar
The Federal Open Market Committee meets on 27 and 28 October. The ECB’s Governing Council holds its monetary policy meeting on 28 and 29 October in Frankfurt, with a press conference after the second day.
- 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)
- ECB euro foreign exchange reference rates (USD, GBP, JPY), 23–26 October 2026
- FINRA Regulatory Notice 26-21: FINRA Amends Rules and Updates Interpretations to Address Binary Options
- FINRA Regulatory Notice 26-20: Outside Activities
- CFTC Release No. 9314-26: CFTC and National Basketball Association Sign MOU to Protect Integrity in Professional Basketball
- Federal Reserve: FOMC meeting calendars
- ECB: Meetings of the Governing Council and related press conferences
Markets: Stocks · Crypto · Futures & Options · Energy & Commodities · Metals · Forex