Wall Street closes higher: Nasdaq up 1.2%, S&P 500 at 7,722 as Fed meets
Technology stocks pushed the Nasdaq up 1.2% and the S&P 500 up 0.6% on Tuesday, October 27, while Boeing and energy shares held the Dow almost flat as the Federal Reserve began its two-day meeting.
At a glance
- The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 7,722.60 on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.18% to 26,477.81.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average added just 15.99 points to 52,377.57, held back by Boeing after its earnings and by energy stocks, which fell more than 2%.
- Royal Caribbean rose about 7.6% and SoFi about 15% after strong results; JetBlue jumped about 19%.
- The Federal Reserve began a two-day policy meeting; its decision is due on Wednesday, October 28, at 2pm in Washington (11pm Pakistan time).
US stocks closed higher on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, led by technology shares. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1.18% and the S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 7,722.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average barely moved: Boeing fell after its quarterly results, and energy stocks dropped more than 2%. Investors were also waiting for the Federal Reserve, which began a two-day policy meeting the same day.
How the markets closed
| Index | Close | Change |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 7,722.60 | +45.83 (+0.60%) |
| Nasdaq Composite | 26,477.81 | +1.18% |
| Dow Jones Industrial Average | 52,377.57 | +15.99 (+0.03%) |
| Russell 2000 | 2,818.87 | higher |
On Monday the S&P 500 had closed at 7,676.77 and the Dow at 52,361.58.
Biggest movers
| Company | Move | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| JetBlue | about +19% | Reaffirmed its 2028 earnings target |
| SoFi | about +15% | Quarterly results beat forecasts |
| Pentair | +12.8% | Top S&P 500 gainer after results |
| Royal Caribbean | about +7.6% | Beat forecasts, raised full-year outlook |
| Xylem | -13.1% | Biggest S&P 500 decliner |
| Hilton | lower | Fourth-quarter profit forecast below estimates |
| Boeing | lower | Commercial jet unit still loss-making |
Shares of UniFirst and Cintas fell on reports that the Federal Trade Commission plans to block their merger.
What drove the day
Technology stocks led for a second straight day. Optimism about artificial intelligence has grown since Anthropic filed for a stock market listing on Monday. Chipmakers and software companies gained, lifting the tech-heavy Nasdaq the most.
Boeing was the main drag on the Dow. The planemaker's revenue rose 4% to $24.2 billion and its order backlog hit a record $745 billion. But its commercial airplanes unit still posted a negative 6.5% operating margin as it works to stabilise 737 MAX production. Energy shares fell more than 2% and were the weakest sector.
Background
US stocks are near record highs after a strong year. Big technology companies are spending heavily on AI, and investors are watching every Fed signal on interest rates. Earnings season is in full swing, with many of the largest US companies reporting this week. Oil prices remain high because of tensions in the Middle East and shipping risks around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab.
Why it matters
Wall Street sets the tone for markets around the world. A strong close in New York usually supports Asian markets the next morning, including the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The Fed's decision will also move the US dollar. That affects the rupee, import costs and the price of gold in Pakistan and across South Asia.
What happens next
The Fed will announce its interest-rate decision at 2pm Eastern time on Wednesday, October 28 (11pm Pakistan time), followed by the Fed chair's press conference. Investors will listen closely for any signal about the path of rates into December and about how the Fed sees high energy prices affecting inflation. More big company results are due through the rest of the week.
Questions people are asking
How did the US stock market close on October 27, 2026?
US stocks closed higher. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to 7,722.60, the Nasdaq gained 1.18% to 26,477.81 and the Dow edged up 15.99 points to 52,377.57.
When is the Fed decision in October 2026?
The Federal Reserve's two-day meeting began on October 27, 2026, and its interest-rate decision is due at 2pm Eastern time on Wednesday, October 28, which is 11pm in Pakistan.
Why did Boeing stock fall on October 27?
Boeing shares fell after its third-quarter results showed its commercial jet business still losing money, even though revenue rose 4% to $24.2 billion and the backlog hit a record $745 billion.
