10 things that mattered on Tuesday, September 15, 2026
The 10-year Treasury yield closed at 5.00%, its highest since 2007, and the fuel shock reached the pump, where diesel set a record. Stocks fell for a second day as the Fed opened its two-day meeting.
- 01
The S&P 500 fell 0.5% for a second day
SPY closed at $757.44, 2.6% below its record. Small caps lost 0.9% and the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.6%.
SPY, last six months SPY, last six months - 02
The 10-year yield closed at 5.00%
It rose 4 basis points to its highest close since July 2007. The 2-year yield rose to 4.67%, about a point above the 3.63% fed funds rate.
10-year Treasury yield (%), last twelve months 10-year Treasury yield (%), last twelve months - 03
Diesel hit a record $6.29 a gallon
The national average for Monday rose 32 cents in a week and is 68% above a year earlier. Gasoline climbed to $4.32, its highest since late May.
Retail diesel ($/gallon), last five years Retail diesel ($/gallon), last five years - 04
Oil rose 3.3% to its highest close since 2015
The oil fund USO closed at $161.86, its highest since June 2015. It is up 10.8% from its September 8 close.
USO (oil fund), last six months USO (oil fund), last six months - 05
Energy stocks closed at a record
The energy sector fund (XLE) rose 2.2% to $65.93, a record close. It was one of the few gainers on a down day for the S&P 500.
XLE (energy sector fund), last six months XLE (energy sector fund), last six months - 06
Consumer stocks fell 1.7%, the weakest sector
The consumer discretionary fund (XLY) had its worst day since September 1. Amazon lost 2.0% and Home Depot 1.7%.
XLY (consumer discretionary fund), last six months XLY (consumer discretionary fund), last six months - 07
Utilities fell for a fifth straight day
The utilities fund (XLU) lost 1.2% to $41.32 and is down 4.9% since September 8. Utilities are usually among the most sensitive stocks to bond yields.
XLU (utilities fund), last six months XLU (utilities fund), last six months - 08
NYSE new lows climbed to 235
Net new highs were -179, the deepest reading since April 2025, with the S&P 500 2.6% below its record. It is the fourth session at or below minus 100 since September 9.
NYSE-listed new highs minus new lows, last twelve months NYSE-listed new highs minus new lows, last twelve months - 09
Fear & Greed fell to 27
That is two points above Extreme Fear and the lowest reading since June. The VIX barely moved, closing at 17.20.
VIX, last six months VIX, last six months - 10
Due Wednesday: the Fed decision and retail sales
The FOMC statement is due at 2pm ET, after August retail sales in the morning. Lennar reports after the close, and FedEx is also on the calendar.
Data as of the Tuesday, September 15, 2026 close. The ten items are picked by fixed rules from the site's daily data (the size of each move, signals that changed state, and economic releases weighted by importance), then checked and written by hand. Charts end on the brief's date. Research and education, not financial advice.