Stocks declined over an unusually volatile week as midterm results shifted control of Congress and markets responded.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 2.68 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 3.37 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.94 percent lower. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 1.95 percent.^1,2

A Volatile Week

Stocks were mixed to start the week, kicking off November with a continued rotation out of technology stocks in favor of more defensive names.^3,4

Markets then jumped midweek as investors believed a decisive midterm election result would help reduce political uncertainty risk. Economically sensitive stocks led the rally, while chip stocks and other tech names trailed. The Dow Industrials rose over 3 percent—its best day in more than 1½ years.⁵

But stocks were under steady pressure on Thursday, with tech leading all three major market averages down. Investors continued to rotate out of the AI trade as anxiety grew about what’s next. The Nasdaq dropped 5½ percent while the S&P 500 slid 4.4 percent.⁶

The week wrapped on a positive note with markets pushing higher on Friday as investors cheered a better-than-expected jobs report, which helped buoy investor sentiment.⁷

AI Anxiety

So why did markets rally the day after midterm election results were in? Markets seemed to welcome greater clarity about the political landscape.⁸

Anxiety returned on Thursday. In the past several weeks, investors have become increasingly concerned about AI stock valuations and have focused on data center buildouts. Those factors had already cooled the AI trade, so the election results brought some issues back into focus.⁸

One bright spot for the week was the price of oil. Some believe that lower prices could help ease inflation concerns if the trend continues.⁸

This Week: Key Economic Data

Monday: Wholesale Trade. Fed Presidents Austan Goolsbee (Chicago) and Thomas Barkin (Richmond) speak.

Tuesday: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index. Consumer Price Index (CPI). New York Fed report: Q3 Household Debt & Credit. Fed Presidents Jeff Schmid (Kansas City) and Anna Paulson (Philadelphia) speak.

Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Existing Home Sales. Treasury Balance. Fed Presidents Mary Daly (San Francisco) and John Williams (New York) speak.

Friday: Producer Price Index (PPI). San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly speaks.

^{Source: Investor’s Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar: November 6, 2026.
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision.}

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Monday: Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG), KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR)

Thursday: Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO), Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT)

^{Source: Zacks, November 6, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice.}

“Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.”

– Jane Goodall

Apples: The Snack That Keeps Giving

An apple a day does more than keep the doctor away; it keeps afternoon hunger at bay, too. Packed with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, apples are one of the most satisfying grab-and-go snacks around. Beyond snacking, try thinly slicing them into a grilled cheese sandwich for a sweet-savory twist, or dice them into your morning oatmeal for natural sweetness without added sugar. Their crunch also makes them a surprisingly great substitute for crackers on a cheese board.

Tip adapted from Healthline⁹

Exercise Your Brain, Not Just Your Body

Physical fitness gets a lot of attention, but keeping your mind sharp is just as important. Regular brain exercise has been linked to improved memory, faster processing speed, better executive function, and stronger cognitive health over time. The good news is that brain training doesn't have to feel like work. Try attending a local class in something completely new: pottery, a foreign language, or painting. Socializing regularly, spending time in nature, and working through puzzles like crosswords or number games are all excellent ways to keep your mind active and engaged.

Tip adapted from American Psychological Association¹⁰

It grows down, yet it also grows up. What is it?

Last Week's Riddle: You throw it out when you need to use it. You bring it up when you don’t. As you travel, it goes with you. What is it?

Answer: An anchor.

Rocca Calascio Castle  

Calascio, provincia dell'Aquila, Italy

Stocks ended last week lower as disappointing Q3 corporate reports led to a tech-led selloff that deepened on Friday.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.57 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.00 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.85 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.85 percent.^1,2

Early Enthusiasm

The AI trade got a fresh boost to kick off the week as one of the largest AI platforms filed for an initial public offering. Investors also appeared upbeat about one of the biggest weeks for Q3 corporate earnings results.

Monday’s momentum extended into Tuesday’s session, while falling oil prices over both days added to investor enthusiasm.³

Then midweek, the Fed held rates steady as expected, which was met with mixed trading. But all three averages closed modestly higher on Wednesday. Over the first three days of the week, the Nasdaq rose more than 2 percent and the S&P 500 added more than 1½ percent.⁴

Thursday’s session opened on a down note following mixed Q3 corporate results from two of the largest tech giants. Despite a stronger-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) report and the fact that seven out of the 11 S&P 500 sectors advanced, stocks remained under pressure throughout the day.⁵

Then Friday, the tech-led selloff deepened as traders appeared to favor more defensive sectors as the month closed out. The Nasdaq declined nearly 3 percent over the session.⁶

Upbeat Q3 GDP Report

The Fed’s decision last Wednesday to keep short-term interest rates unchanged was expected. But two Fed officials voted for raising rates, which was a bit of a surprise.⁷

Another surprise last week was news that the economy grew 3.4 percent in Q3, according to the Commerce Department’s initial estimate. That beat economists’ expectations of 3.1 percent growth but, more importantly, marked an acceleration from Q2, when GDP grew 2.2 percent.⁸

This Week: Key Economic Data

Monday: Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)—Manufacturing. Construction Spending.

Tuesday: Job Openings & Labor Turnover. Factory Orders.

Wednesday: ADP National Employment Report (private sector). Trade Balance. PMI—Services.

Thursday: Productivity and Costs. Weekly Jobless Claims.

Friday: Employment Report. U. Michigan Consumer Survey. Consumer Credit.

^{Source: Investor’s Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar: October 30, 2026.
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision.}

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Monday: Apple Inc. (AAPL), Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR), Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX), Marriott International, Inc. (MAR)

Tuesday: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), Amgen Inc. (AMGN), Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET), Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Eaton Corporation (ETN), Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC), Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG)

Wednesday: QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM), McDonald’s Corporation (MCD), Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER), CVS Health Corporation (CVS), McKesson Corporation (MCK), Datadog, Inc. (DDOG)

Thursday: ConocoPhillips (COP), Cloudflare, Inc. (NET), Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH), The Southern Company (SO), Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB), Duke Energy Corporation (DUK)

Friday: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A/BRK.B)

^{Source: Zacks, October 30, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice.}

“Things are only impossible until they’re not.”

– Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart)

Better Ways to Measure Your Health

The number on the scale tells only part of your health story. Try these approaches to get a fuller picture of your progress:

• Keep a journal and track your healthy habits — working out, eating well, getting enough sleep. Celebrating small victories keeps you motivated for the long haul.
• Take weekly progress photos in the same pose, outfit, and lighting. Comparing them over time can reveal changes the scale simply won't show.
• Check in on your energy levels, skin clarity, and digestion. A healthy routine does far more for your body than any single number can capture.

Tip adapted from Daily Burn⁹

Use AI to Declutter Your Writing

Even experienced writers benefit from a second set of eyes. Paste any draft—an email, a report, a presentation—into an AI chat and ask it to identify sentences that are too long, jargon that could be simplified, or points that could be made more directly. Try the prompt: "Edit this for clarity and concision without changing my voice.” You may be surprised how much stronger your writing becomes with just a few targeted suggestions.

Tip adapted from indisputably.org¹⁰

You throw it out when you need to use it. You bring it up when you don’t. As you travel, it goes with you. What is it?

Last Week's Riddle: I am a port city in Canada, a state in southeast Australia, a big lake in Africa, and a renowned queen. What is my name?

Answer: Victoria.

The Porch of the Caryatids 

Athens, Attica, Greece