The major U.S. stock indexes ended **mixed** on Wednesday, **October 7, 2026**, pulling back from Tuesday's record highs as the 10-year Treasury yield briefly hit its highest level since April 2002 at 5.36% and **FOMC minutes confirmed the Fed anticipates at least one more rate hike** before year-end. It was a sober reality check after two days of record-setting euphoria.
The **S&P 500** slipped **0.22%** (-17.19 pts) to **7,801.74.** The **Dow** fell **0.66%** (-341.41 pts) to **51,179.87.** The **Nasdaq** dropped **0.22%** (-61.20 pts) to **27,538.69.** The **Russell 2000** tumbled **1.32%** (-37.22 pts) to **2,793.08**, the session's biggest loser as small caps remain deeply sensitive to the higher-for-longer narrative.
The **10-year Treasury yield** edged up to **5.28%**, after briefly hitting 5.36%, its highest since April 2002. The **VIX** was little changed at **15.04.** **Gold** fell **1.39%** to **$4,129.00.** **Crude Oil** eased **0.48%** to **$89.01/barrel.**
