S&P 500 Closes At Record High: Investor Sentiment Improves, Fear & Greed Index Remains In 'Neutral' Zone

Market Sentiment - The CNN Money Fear and Greed index improved to a reading of 52.3, remaining in the "Neutral" zone, up from 50.2 [5] - U.S. stocks closed higher, with the S&P 500 reaching a record high during the session [1] Employment Data - The ADP Employment Report for September indicated a decline of 32,000 private-sector jobs, the largest drop since March 2023, significantly missing Wall Street's expectations [2] - The government shutdown has delayed several official economic releases, making the ADP data more critical for assessing labor market health [2] Company Performance - RPM International Inc. reported better-than-expected sales for its fiscal 2026 first quarter [3] - Conagra Brands Inc. also reported positive earnings for the first quarter [3] - Most sectors in the S&P 500 experienced losses, particularly materials, financials, and communication services, while health care and utilities stocks performed better [3] Stock Market Indices - The Dow Jones increased by approximately 43 points, closing at 46,441.10 [4] - The S&P 500 rose by 0.34% to 6,688.46, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.42% to 22,755.16 during the session [4] - Investors are anticipating earnings results from AngioDynamics, Inc. [4]