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Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:
The stock market is under pressure today as investors digest a hotter-than-expected September CPI report and reassess the Fed’s policy path. 📉⏳ Futures for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are down, with the Nasdaq-100 off about 1.3%, after Wednesday’s sharp selloff that saw the tech-heavy index fall 1.9%. The Dow is holding up relatively better, but all three major indexes are on track for further losses as inflation concerns mount. 🛢️💰
Major Indices Performance 📊
S&P 500 futures are down about 0.3%.
Dow Jones futures are lower by roughly 0.17%.
Nasdaq-100 futures are down about 1.3%.
Market Movers 🚀
LQDA, SCTX, and ALMR are among the session’s top gainers.
BLZE, DFH, and EOSE are among the biggest decliners.
AI and chip-related names are under pressure following Wednesday’s rout, with the Nasdaq leading losses.
BlackRock, Bank of America, Alphabet, and Micron are among the notable names in focus as earnings season continues.
Key Events Driving the Market 🗞️
Hot CPI print: September CPI came in at 3.7% annually, up from 3.4% previously, with higher gasoline prices from the Middle East war a main driver. 📊📉
Treasury yields volatile: Yields initially spiked on the inflation data but reversed course later in the day, with most maturities ending lower as investors rotated into bonds. 📉🏦
Fed commentary: Recent remarks from Fed officials suggest the central bank is not in a rush to hike rates further, even as inflation remains stubborn. 🏛️
Earnings season: BlackRock, Bank of America, Alphabet, and Micron are among the key earnings reports this week. 📊
Investor Sentiment 👀
Overall, investor mood is risk-off, with traders balancing:
Concern over accelerating inflation and its impact on Fed policy
Pressure from a tech-led selloff dragging down growth stocks
Underlying debate over whether the Fed will need to act more aggressively to tame price pressures
The market is showing a clear defensive tilt as inflation fears take center stage, overshadowing the AI-driven rally that powered recent gains. 🐂⚖️
The 10 Best AI Stocks to Own in 2026
AI is moving from experiment… to essential.
Every major industry is integrating it.
Every major company is investing in it.
By late 2025, AI was already an $800B market — growing at a pace that could push it well beyond $1 trillion in the years ahead.
Cloud infrastructure is scaling fast.
AI-enabled devices are multiplying.
Automation is becoming standard.
But here’s the real question…
When trillions flow into this transformation — which stocks stand to benefit most?
Our new report reveals 10 AI stocks positioned across the backbone of this shift — from the companies powering the infrastructure… to those embedding intelligence into everyday systems.
If you want exposure to one of the defining growth trends of this decade, start here.
TRADE OF THE DAY
ZS
Name: Zscaler, Inc.
Symbol: ZS
ZS Current Price: $219.65
Trade
Sell to Open: 1 ZS Nov 6, 2026 185/180 Put Vertical (Bull Put Spread)
Total Credit Received: $44.00
Credit per Contract: $44.00 (1 contract covering 100 shares)
Direction: Bullish — expects the stock to stay above the break-even price.
Probability of Profit (PoP): 86.36% (as provided)
Potential ROI
Max Risk (Loss): $456.00
Maximum Potential Reward: $44.00
ROI: ($44 ÷ $456) × 100 ≈ 9.6%
Trade Explained in Simple English:
You’re selling the November 6, 2026 $185 put and buying the $180 put for protection, creating a bullish put spread. You receive $44.00 upfront for taking this trade. If ZS closes above $184.56 at expiration, you keep the full $44.00 credit; if it closes below $184.56, you begin losing money, with your maximum loss capped at $456.00 if the stock closes at or below $180.00. The trade has a stated 86.36% probability of profit and a potential return of 9.6% on the maximum risk.
Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers
Charles Schwab reported record third-quarter diluted earnings of $1.62 per share, with net revenue of $7.17 billion and total client assets reaching $13.33 trillion.Read more.
Penske Automotive Group agreed to be taken private at $212 per share, a major deal in the auto-retail sector.Read more.
TSMC reported record quarterly profit of NT$763.06 billion, up 69% year over year, on 50% revenue growth driven by advanced AI-chip demand.Read more.
Anthropic told institutional investors that third-quarter revenue rose 45% to roughly $16.8 billion ahead of a planned IPO, while concerns over AI valuations and corporate borrowing persisted.Read more.
U.S. Bancorp reported third-quarter results, with Chairman and CEO Gunjan Kedia and CFO John Stern scheduled to discuss the performance on an earnings call.Read more.
Disclaimer: The content provided by OptionPicks is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. We are not registered as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial advisor with the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory authority. Options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and no representation is being made that any subscriber will or is likely to achieve profits or incur losses similar to those mentioned. You should consult with a licensed financial professional before making any investment decisions.
