Markets News, Aug. 31, 2026: Major Stock Indexes Post Gains for August Despite Falling Monday Amid Rising Oil Prices

Markets News, Aug. 31, 2026: Major Stock Indexes Post Gains for August Despite Falling Monday Amid Rising Oil Prices Aaron Rennie Mon, August 31, 2026 at 12:47 PM GMT+2 16 min read CL=F ^IXIC ^DJI The Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen each of the past five months, though its year-to-date gains lag those of the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite. Credit: Michael Nagle / Bloomberg via Getty Images Stocks fell Monday as oil prices rose, but major indexes still managed to post solid gains for August.

The blue-chip Dow, benchmark S&P 500, and tech-focused Nasdaq Composite closed down a respective 0. 7%, 0. 3%, and 0.

1% to begin the new trading week. However, the Dow finished up 1. 3% for August, its fifth consecutive month of gains, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 advanced 3.

9% and 2. 6%, respectively, to snap two-month skids. Crude oil prices jumped Monday after U.

S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, said last night that U. S.

forces struck Iranian minelayers that were "posing an imminent threat in the Strait of Hormuz," and Iran retaliated against U. S. military bases in Jordan.

U. S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate prices rose 3.

1% to $85. 95 a barrel at 4 p. m.

ET, while Brent crude futures, the global benchmark, were up 2. 7% to $90. 50.

"We are gonna continue exerting pressure" on Iran, U. S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday morning at the G20 finance meeting in Asheville, N.

C. , adding that "we just have to have the regime come to their senses. " Stocks finished last week with gains even after retreating Friday as Marvell Technology (MRVL) weighed on tech shares and Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh signaled the central bank's determination to get inflation under control .

Marvell shares, which sank 10% Friday, fell 2. 3% further today, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose 0. 5% after declining more than 3% last session.

Nvidia (NVDA) stock, which retreated 4. 6% Friday, was up nearly 1% today, while Tesla (TSLA) shares surged 5. 5% to rank among top S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 advancers.

The other Magnificent Seven mega-cap tech stocks were in the red, with Amazon (AMZN) dropping 2. 5% after the e-commerce giant was sued by the Federal Trade Commission and 22 states for allegedly concealing "unfair charges in its digital advertising auction pricing. " Apple (AAPL) shares slipped almost 1% in Tim Cook's last day as CEO before retirement.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which influences interest rates on a variety of consumer loans including mortgages, was below 4. 76% in recent trading, up four basis points from Friday's close. Bitcoin recently was at $79,000, up modestly over the past 24 hours.

The U. S. dollar index , which tracks the value of the greenback against a basket of foreign currencies, was 0.

3% lower at 99. 43. Gold futures declined 0.

8% to $4,495 an ounce. Investors later this week will turn their attention to Broadcom's (AVGO) earnings report Wednesday and the August jobs report on Friday. Story Continues "With the Chairman appearing to stress the Fed's inflation-fighting mission, unexpectedly strong labor-market data this week might be taken as bad news by the market, since it could reinforce expectations for a rate hike," Chris Larkin, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley's Managing Director, Trading and Investing, said in written commentary.

"September has been a slightly less-bearish month for stocks over the past three decades, but it still represents an environment that can exaggerate the impact of negative news, at least in the short term. " AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 07:44 PM GMT FTC, 22 States Sue Amazon Over Alleged 'Secret Ad Surcharge Scheme' Once again, Amazon will be engaged in legal proceedings with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC and 22 states sued Amazon (AMZN) on Monday, alleging that since 2019, the e-commerce giant "has secretly and systematically overcharged its approximately 1.

2 million advertising customers by manipulating the 'auctions' that it uses to set the price of ads on its platform," according to the complaint filed in the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

"Amazon represents, and advertisers believe, that competitive auctions set the prices for advertising on its leading e-commerce website," the complaint says. "But, in reality, Amazon overrides and replaces the actual auction results with higher prices set by Amazon to increase its profits. " In a blog post, Amazon called the lawsuit "misguided," and added that "we look forward to making our case in court.

" Amazon once again will be doing legal battle with the FTC and various states. Credit: Charles-McClintock Wilson / NurPhoto via Getty Images Last September, Amazon agreed to pay $2. 5 billion to settle a lawsuit filed by the FTC that alleged it manipulated customers into signing up for its Prime service, then made it difficult to cancel.

In addition, the FTC and 17 states filed an antitrust suit against Amazon in 2023 that is set to go to trial next year. Shares of Amazon dropped 3% before the close. AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 05:52 PM GMT SAIC Shares Jump on Q2 Results, Raised FY Guidance Science Applications International Corp.

had a better-than-expected second quarter, and the defense contractor anticipates a strong back half to its fiscal 2027. SAIC (SAIC) shares are surging more than 5% in afternoon trading after the company topped analysts' expectations for Q2 and raised its full-year outlook. The Reston, Va.

-based firm reported Q2 adjusted earnings of $3. 10 per share on revenue that increased more than 6% year-over-year to $1. 88 billion.

Analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha had anticipated $2. 28 per share and $1. 76 billion, respectively.

As a result, SAIC lifted its fiscal 2027 projections for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, and adjusted diluted EPS. "We are raising our guidance to reflect our strong year-to-date performance, and we are transforming our enterprise to support our customers' most critical missions, drive long-term growth and margin expansion, while continuing to invest in strengthening our capabilities," CEO Jim Reagan said. SAIC shares have risen more than 30% since the start of the year.

Credit: TradingView AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 05:16 PM GMT Tim Cook's Final Day as Apple CEO: How His 15-Year Tenure Transformed the Company's Stock Tim Cook's run as Apple's CEO ends today as one of among the most profitable in corporate history, and he leaves with the company's stock near the record high it set this summer. Cook, 65, hands the mantle over to hardware chief John Ternus on Tuesday and will become executive chair, a process Apple (AAPL) set in motion in April. Shareholders have been richly rewarded.

Investors who put $1,000 into Apple stock when he started would now have about $23,800, about 3. 6 times what the S&P 500 returned over the same period. Read the full article here .

- Peter Gratton Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook (left) and his successor, John Ternus, at the Allen & Co. conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, in July. Credit: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 04:50 PM GMT Here's How Much Traders See Broadcom Stock Moving After Earnings Broadcom is slated to post its latest quarterly results after the closing bell Wednesday, with traders expecting a big move from the chipmaker's stock.

Based on current options pricing, Broadcom (AVGO) shares are seen swinging up to 7% by the end of the week. A move of that size from the stock's recent level around $369 could lift it to $395, or drag it below $343, which would put it back in negative territory for the year. Broadcom shares have dropped 25% off their June highs in the wake of the company's last quarterly report .

Disappointment about the company's decision not to lift its long-term sales forecasts and worries about competition have pressured Broadcom shares , along with AI bubble fears that have weighed on the broader chip sector. Broadcom shares are 25% off their June highs. Credit: Stanislav Kogiku / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images UBS analysts recently wrote that they see "modest" upside to Broadcom's third-quarter sales, but that they are "doubtful that this report will sway the overarching debate on the stock" around Broadcom's competitive position with key customers including Google.

The analysts trimmed their price target to $470 from $485. Read the full article here . - Aaron McDade AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 03:49 PM GMT Strategy Shifts Into Bitcoin Buying Mode The bitcoin bulls are circling.

Strategy (MSTR) shifted into buying mode last week, snapping up 4,603 bitcoins for about $370 million, according to a company filing. That purchase is its largest since May and follows weeks of leaving its stockpile of the cryptocurrency untouched. Bitcoin's recent breakout—the price of the cryptocurrency has been trading around $80,000 for the past couple weeks—appears to have inspired bullish energy, though Strategy is paying for the pleasure.

The digital asset treasury spent an average of $80,318 per coin to buy its latest tranche of bitcoin after selling for an average price that ranged from $59,000 to $64,000 between June 30 and Aug. 10, according to the company. Since Strategy announced its intent to sell bitcoin in late June, it had unloaded 6,916 coins for roughly $430 million.

Still, Strategy could be laughing all the way to the bank if recently revamped forecasts for bitcoin pan out. Last week, Bernstein analysts including Gautam Chhugani said they expect bitcoin to hit its next peak—$300,000, more than double its all-time high set last October— by 2029. They also see the market recovering to drive bitcoin to a new all-time high of $150,000 by the middle of next year.

"In the last 10 days, bitcoin is up 28%, potentially signaling an end to this bear cycle," the Bernstein analysts said. Strategy bought about $370 million worth of bitcoin last week. Credit: Cheng Xin / Getty Images They also updated their outlook on Strategy, affirming their "outperform" rating, effectively a bullish posture, but lowering their price target to $350 from the prior $450.

Though Bernstein sees Strategy "going kinetic" on bitcoin purchases as crypto market strength returns, the analysts see the stock recovering to just 30% above the net asset value of its bitcoin compared with its historical average of 50%. In other words, this crypto spring may give Strategy shares a boost, but not quite enough to put them back to trading at a huge premium to the firm's coins. - Crystal Kim AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 03:20 PM GMT Energy Is Only S&P 500 Sector in Green Monday The S&P 500 Energy Sector is the only one of the 11 tracked by the benchmark index in positive territory Monday.

Energy shares are up nearly 1. 5% in late-morning trading as crude prices are surging, but the other 10 sectors are in the red and the S&P 500 is down 0. 5% overall.

Oilfield-services firm SLB (SLB) and oil giants Chevron (CVX) and ExxonMobil (XOM) are leading Energy sector declines at nearly 2% each. Chevron was one of the leading stocks in the S&P 500 Energy Sector on Monday morning. Credit: Patrick T.

Fallon / AFP via Getty Images AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 02:45 PM GMT Edison International, PG&E Shares Sink on California Legislation The two biggest decliners in the S&P 500 Monday morning have something in common. Shares of Edison International (EIX) and PG&E Corp. (PCG) sank about 20% apiece in early trading after California lawmakers rejected a push by Gov.

Gavin Newsom to limit utilities' exposure to wildfire-related claims. "The bill does not adequately address the financing risks created by California's current wildfire liability framework," PG&E subsidiary Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said about California Senate Bill 492.

"As a result, it falls short of creating the long-term durability needed to attract affordable investment to support a safer, more reliable energy system and help keep costs down for customers. " With today's sharp declines, shares of both PG&E and Edison International moved into negative territory for 2026. Credit: TradingView AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 02:06 PM GMT Today Is Tim Cook's Last Day as Apple's CEO.

John Ternus Takes Over Days Ahead of a Big Event One of the country's most valuable companies is getting a new CEO this week. Today marks Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook's last day leading the tech giant , ending a 15-year run. John Ternus, a longtime hardware executive with the iPhone maker, is set to take over the top job starting tomorrow.

Cook will shift to executive chairman of Apple's board, and remain involved with the company's talks with world governments. Cook took over after Steve Jobs resigned as Apple CEO on Aug. 24, 2011.

During Cook's tenure, Apple stock has gained nearly 2,300% as the popularity of iPhones grew. Apple has launched several new products under Cook, including Apple Watches, AirPods, and the virtual reality Vision Pro headset, plus new services like Apple TV. Ternus will face his first test with Apple's annual product event on Sept.

9. The company is expected to announce an update to its iPhone lineup at the event, which could include the first foldable iPhone . Analysts have said Apple could also raise prices for this year's range of iPhone models to combat rising memory costs, after it hiked prices for a number of its other devices back in June .

Apple shares were little changed in recent trading. They've gained about 17% since the start of the year, though they've pulled back from a record high set in late July in the wake of a disappointing revenue forecast. - Aaron McDade Apple is getting a new CEO this week, with John Ternus (left) taking over for Tim Cook tomorrow.

Credit: Stewart Cook / Apple TV via Getty Images AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 12:49 PM GMT Major Indexes Poised for Monthly Gains The major stock indexes are set to post gains for August in what has been a volatile month of trading. Entering today's session, the Dow is up 2%, while the S&P 500 and tech-focused Nasdaq are up 3% and 4. 1%, respectively.

This would mark the fifth straight month of gains for the Dow, while the S&P and Nasdaq are looking to snap two-month losing streaks. The Dow and S&P each set record closes earlier this month, while the Nasdaq is still trading more than 2% below its last record high set back in early June. The AI trade has seen more volatility this month amid concerns over the industry's financing.

- Aaron McDade   The three major U. S. stock indexes were poised to close higher for August.

Credit: ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 12:17 PM GMT Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Strikes Pick Up Again Oil prices are surging as fighting in Iran picked up again last night. The U. S.

struck rocket launchers near Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz that the military says were preparing to launch rockets with mines into the vital shipping waterway. Iran's military called the attack an "act of aggression," but the U. S.

Central Command said in response that U. S. forces "took limited, precise action" to stop the threat of mines being laid in the strait.

Early this morning, the United Arab Emirates said its air force downed an Iranian drone that was approaching the country, with missiles also being intercepted over the country of Jordan in a series of retaliatory strikes. WTI crude oil futures were up 3. 4% to $86.

20 per barrel recently. - Aaron McDade   Oil prices jumped early Monday. Credit: Kaylee Greenlee / Bloomberg via Getty Images AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 12:02 PM GMT The 'Mover Rate' Shows How High Housing Costs Are Keeping Americans Stuck in Place The classic American experience of packing up and moving to the big city for a better job is becoming rarer every year.

That's according to data from the Bank of America Institute released Friday, which showed the number of people moving in the second quarter of 2026 was down 15% since 2023, with the decline steeper among people moving longer distances or with lower incomes. 1 The researchers tracked moves using the bank's customer transaction data. Over the same period, spending on home renovations rose, suggesting people would rather fix up their homes than trade them for new ones.

Long-distance moves in particular have grown rarer as mortgage rates, home prices, and rents , all of which surged during the pandemic, have made relocating more financially daunting. Americans are moving less, particularly over longer distances, amid high housing costs and a shrinking financial payoff from relocating. Credit: Marcin Golba / NurPhoto via Getty Images The Census Bureau also tracks how often Americans move.

While it's not as up-to-date as the bank data, it tells a similar story over the long term. The "mover rate," also called the "geographic mobility" rate, comes from the annual Current Population Survey and measures what percentage of the population moved in a given year. Read the full article here .

- Diccon Hyatt AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 11:36 AM GMT What to Expect in Markets This Week: Dell, Several Consumer Companies to Report; August Jobs Data Due After a big week for tech earnings headlined by Nvidia's quarterly update, the main focus for investors may turn back to economy data in the coming days. We'll get a fresh look at the labor market on Friday when the August jobs report lands. Economists were surprised when the U.

S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July and officials revised the number of jobs added in June downward. Yet the unemployment rate came in better than expected at 4.

1%, compared to 4. 2% in June, as labor force participation approached a five-year low. The workforce is changing as employers anticipate widespread use of AI and adjust to evolving tariff, trade and immigration policy.

The portion of workers who are 55 or older has fallen to a two-decade low . Meanwhile, fewer college graduates and "prime-age" workers are finding jobs. The pool of people seeking work has shrunk because immigration has slowed, economists say, and because Americans may have given up on finding work or decided they have the funds to retire.

The August jobs report will be closely monitored by Federal Reserve policymakers, who have been concentrating on curbing inflation ahead of their second mandate: promoting maximum employment. Deterioration in the labor market could make a Fed rate hike less likely, since higher interest rates deter employers from undertaking major investments and expanding.   Read the full article here .

  - Sarina Trangle Five Below and other consumer goods companies are slated to report this week. Credit: Chet Strange / Bloomberg via Getty Images AUGUST 31, 2026 AT 10:47 AM GMT Stock Futures Slip as Oil Jumps Following US, Iran Strikes Futures contracts tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average were down 0. 2%.

Credit: TradingView S&P 500 futures also pointed 0. 2% lower. Credit: TradingView Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 0.

1%.