The stock market delivered a positive performance over the week, with major indices posting gains and hitting multiple record highs despite the onset of a U.S. government shutdown on October 1. The shutdown disrupted key economic data releases, including the jobs report, but investors appeared to shrug off the uncertainty, focusing instead on strong tech sector momentum, AI optimism, and resilient economic indicators like in-line inflation data. Overall, the market exhibited low volatility, with the VIX (often called the “fear index”) remaining below 17 throughout the period, signaling calm trading conditions and limited fear of sharp swings. The Dow Jones rose about 1%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each advanced around 0.8-1%, capping a winning month and quarter for equities.
Below is a day-by-day breakdown, including key index performances, notable news, and volatility analysis. Index data includes closing prices where available, with percentage changes calculated from the previous trading day’s close. Volumes are from Dow data as a proxy for market activity.
September 29, 2025 (Monday)
Indices Breakdown:
Dow Jones: Close 46,316.07, +0.15% (Modest rebound after prior week’s losses.)
S&P 500: Close 6,661.21, +0.30% (Led by utilities and consumer discretionary sectors.)
Nasdaq: Close 22,953.00, +0.50% (Outperformed amid tech strength.)
Key News: Markets rebounded from the previous week’s declines, with major indices closing higher as inflation data came in line with expectations, easing concerns about rate hikes. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq logged strong monthly gains for September (S&P up ~5%, Nasdaq up 5.6%), marking the end of a positive third quarter. The dollar and Treasury yields fell amid fears of a potential government shutdown, but equities held firm.
Volatility Analysis: The VIX closed at 16.12, down slightly from intraday highs, reflecting low market anxiety. Daily ranges were narrow (e.g., Dow high-low spread ~0.5%), indicating stable trading with minimal intraday swings. Volume: 479,740,000 (moderate).
September 30, 2025 (Tuesday)
Indices Breakdown:
Dow Jones: Close 46,397.89, +0.18% (New closing record.)
S&P 500: Close 6,688.46, +0.41% (Fifth straight winning month.)
Nasdaq: Close 23,021.86, +0.30% (Tech and financials drove gains.)
Key News: Stocks advanced as investors overlooked shutdown risks, with the S&P 500 capping its fifth consecutive monthly gain. The Dow hit a record close, while gold futures reached new highs and the dollar weakened. End-of-quarter rebalancing and positive economic sentiment supported the rally, though a government shutdown loomed.
Volatility Analysis: VIX edged up to 16.28, still in low territory, suggesting continued investor confidence. Intraday volatility remained subdued (Dow range ~0.7%), with no major shocks. Volume: 584,780,000 (elevated, end-of-month effect).
October 1, 2025 (Wednesday)
Indices Breakdown:
Dow Jones: Close 46,441.10, +0.09% (Fresh record close.)
S&P 500: Close 6,711.20, +0.34% (Surpassed 6,700 for the first time.)
Nasdaq: Close 23,136.00, +0.50% (Strong finish despite early dip.)
Key News: The government entered a shutdown, but stocks shook off concerns, with the S&P 500 and Dow setting new records. Traders bet on a short-lived disruption, while gold hit $3,900 amid uncertainty. Private payroll data (ADP report) showed job growth, providing some offset to missing official figures.
Volatility Analysis: VIX ticked up minimally to 16.29, remaining below key thresholds (e.g., 20 signals elevated fear). Daily fluctuations were mild (Dow range ~0.5%), with the shutdown failing to spark panic selling. Volume: 552,790,000 (average).
October 2, 2025 (Thursday)
Indices Breakdown:
Dow Jones: Close 46,519.72, +0.17% (Record close.)
S&P 500: Close 6,717.91, +0.10% (Modest gain to new high.)
Nasdaq: Close 23,228.00, +0.40% (Led by chip stocks.)
Key News: Wall Street notched record closes across all major indices, buoyed by tech gains that offset weaker labor data hints. Oil stocks and banks dipped, but AI and semiconductor enthusiasm dominated. The ongoing shutdown added uncertainty, but markets remained resilient.
Volatility Analysis: VIX rose to 16.63, a slight increase but still indicative of low overall volatility. Intraday moves widened modestly (Dow range ~0.7%), reflecting some sector rotation, but no broad instability. Volume: 442,010,000 (lower, mid-week lull).
October 3, 2025 (Friday)
Indices Breakdown:
Dow Jones: Close 46,758.28, +0.51% (Strong rally to record.)
S&P 500: Close 6,716.00, -0.03% (Flat after early gains.)
Nasdaq: Close 23,205.00, -0.10% (Slight dip as rally faded.)
Key News: The Dow surged to a new high, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended mixed as an initial rally lost momentum. The shutdown canceled the key jobs report, leaving investors without crucial data, but AI promise and broad sector gains (e.g., small caps) supported sentiment. Risks from prolonged disruption lingered.
Volatility Analysis: VIX climbed to 16.88, the week’s high but still low historically, amid light data flow. Intraday volatility picked up slightly (Dow range ~1%), with some profit-taking evident, but overall stability persisted. Volume: 531,120,000 (average, pre-weekend).