NEW YORK, September 1, 2026, 10:00 EDT — The Nasdaq cut its decline to 1.1% in early trade with trading volumes surging, as markets responded to fresh volatility caused by the latest oil shock.
- At 10:00 EDT, the Nasdaq Composite was down 1.11% at 26,078.22.
- The S&P 500 slipped 0.64%, and the Dow fell 0.51%.
- WTI crude climbed 3.02%, while the 10-year Treasury yield remained close to 4.78%.
- In the first half-hour of trading, QQQ volume was 62.2% higher than during the same period on Monday.
The Nasdaq Composite pared losses after the open but was still down 1.11% at 26,078.22. The S&P 500 slipped 0.64% to 7,637.25. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.51% to 52,915.88 Yahoo Finance index data.
During the opening half hour, buyers attempted to close the gap but lacked support from macroeconomic signals. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 3.02% to $88.35, and the 10-year Treasury yield remained close to 4.78%.
Opening gap: loss versus Monday’s close
Regular session, 30-minute available interval
The Nasdaq climbed 0.21% off its 09:30 level. The Dow increased by 0.18% and the S&P edged up 0.11%. This recovery reduced earlier losses but did not return indexes to positive territory.
Sector breadth remained in negative territory, with six of the 11 Select Sector SPDR funds ending below their Monday closing levels. Technology dropped 1.67%, while consumer discretionary was down 1.36%. Staples outperformed, rising 0.92%.
Sector rotation widened the valuation split
Select Sector SPDR change from August 31 close at 10:00 EDT
Initial turnover mirrored that divide. Invesco QQQ Trust NASDAQ:QQQ saw 6.49 million shares change hands in the first half-hour, up 62.2% on the same period Monday. SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust NYSEARCA:SPY recorded a 9.3% volume increase.
Opening volume versus Monday
Shares traded from 09:30 through 09:59 EDT
Volume signals were significant. Prices climbed from the open on dip-buying, while turnover in technology stocks also picked up pace. Investors shifted growth duration expectations, indicating a move beyond waiting for liquidity alone.
Bonds and oil drove the pressure. Brent crude climbed to $92.74, and the 10-year yield moved up from Monday’s 4.75% finish. Fresh clashes between the U.S. and Iran kept attention on Strait of Hormuz threats Associated Press.
William Blair macro analyst Richard de Chazal stated: “The balance of risks still points to yields remaining elevated.” Increased risk-free rates lower the present value of future earnings Reuters.
Major technology stocks weighed on the market. Nvidia NASDAQ:NVDA dropped 1.7%, while Micron Technology NASDAQ:MU declined 2.1% near 09:54 EDT Associated Press. Exxon Mobil NYSE:XOM advanced 1.48%, and Chevron NYSE:CVX climbed 1.35% at 10:00 EDT.
Individual stock moves were volatile. AEye NASDAQ:LIDR surged 25.98% to $1.4488, trading 80.7 million shares Nasdaq market data. The company’s Apollo lidar secured a multi-million-dollar contract with Lunar Outpost for the Pegasus lunar vehicle SEC filing.
The 10:00 cutoff included new labor figures. Early estimates show U.S. job openings stood at 7.271 million in July, nearly unchanged. The figure for June was lowered to 7.182 million Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Risks continue on both sides. A reversal in oil prices might lower yields and push the initial rebound further. However, new escalation could increase the technology sector’s discount and surpass early dip-buying efforts.
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