Oil jumped after Houthi attacks on Saudi sites as of 19:00 UTC, taking crude through this morning's range high while US cash remained open. As flagged in this morning's analysis, West Texas Intermediate last sat about 100.40 dollars with a bullish hold through 100.97; that high has been taken. Those index prints are intraday. US cash remains open until 16:00 New York (20:00 UTC).

The Close: Nasdaq Steadies, S&P Fades, Cash Still Open

The S&P 500 last printed about 7,634, down 0.38 percent from Thursday's 7,663.43 (Barron's 7,634.11 at 2:21 PM EDT; Motley Fool 7,632.68). Range 7,612.07 to 7,660.15. This morning's overnight S&P 500 futures print near 7,693 was not held in cash. The bearish reference at Thursday's 7,637.36 low was taken. October 6's 7,818.93 record close remains unrepaired. The Nasdaq Composite last printed about 26,000, down 0.03 percent, after Thursday's 2.60 percent drop to 26,008.86. The Nasdaq-100 last printed about 29,019, up 0.21 percent, and the PHLX Semiconductor Index about 10,823, up 0.85 percent. The Dow last printed about 52,293, down 1.09 percent. South Korea's Kospi closed 5,550.30, up 0.30 percent, after an early low of 5,305.98, a 4.12 percent drop (Yonhap). SK hynix closed up 4.42 percent after suspending Solidigm listing plans, and Samsung Electronics closed up 0.47 percent. This morning's chip bullish trigger, a reclaim of Kospi 5,493.24 through Thursday's 5,533.77, was taken. Japan's Nikkei 225 closed 62,693.16, down 0.34 percent, after a morning low of 61,462.61 (MarketWatch, FRED). The 10-year yield last sat about 4.99 percent, up about 4 basis points, under the 10 basis-point bar. S&P bullish trigger: a reclaim of 7,712.57, then Wednesday's 7,757.17. Bearish trigger: a fade through the session low at 7,612.07.

Key Takeaways: The Close
  • S&P ~7,634 (-0.38%), labeled intraday; overnight futures ~7,693 not held; 7,637.36 taken
  • Nasdaq ~26,000 (-0.03%); Dow ~52,293 (-1.09%); semiconductors +0.85%
  • Kospi closed 5,550.30 (+0.30%) after a 4% early plunge; Nikkei closed 62,693.16 (-0.34%)
  • S&P bullish trigger: reclaim 7,712.57 then 7,757.17; bearish: 7,612.07

Story of the Day: Oil Jumps After Houthi Attacks on Saudi Sites

West Texas Intermediate last printed about 103 dollars (goldoilprice 103.26 at 18:25 UTC; OilPriceAPI 102.99; FT 103.05), against Thursday's settle of 99.47 and this morning's about 100.40. Session range 98.84 to 103.34. The morning bullish hold through 100.97 was taken. Brent last printed about 116.4 dollars (OilPriceAPI 116.44, ksaexpats 116.32), after Thursday's 113.17 settle, a five-month high. Reuters reported Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia and an oil spill in the United Arab Emirates. FXStreet added that Saudi Aramco had cleared staff from its Dhahran headquarters and that a tanker was hit as it left the Strait of Hormuz. The PHLX Oil Service Index last printed about 97.68, up 5.53 percent. S&P Global's flash US composite PMI printed 57.6, in line, against September's 58.4. Manufacturing printed 56.0 against 55.5 seen, the strongest since May 2022. Services printed 57.9 against 58.0 seen. Chris Williamson at S&P Global said selling prices rose at the sharpest pace since August 2022 as the oil surge passed through, with output consistent with GDP growing at about a 5 percent annualized rate. Oil bullish trigger: a hold through the session high at 103.34. Bearish trigger: a slip through 100.97, then Thursday's 99.47.

Key Takeaways: Oil
  • WTI ~$103 vs Thursday settle $99.47 and this morning ~$100.40; high $103.34
  • Brent ~$116.4; oil-service index +5.53%; flash PMI selling prices the sharpest since August 2022
  • Oil bullish trigger: hold $103.34; bearish: $100.97, then $99.47

Crypto Check: Bitcoin Holds Near This Morning's Print

Bitcoin last printed about 81,504 dollars (TradingView). GoldPrice.com sat at 81,539 and goldoilprice at 81,393, all under 1 percent apart. This morning last printed about 81,480. The 21 EMA near 82,700 remains lost. Range low 80,400 is next. The about 79,800 floor remains. Ether last printed about 2,407 dollars, versus this morning's about 2,401. Crypto's daily candle closes at 00:00 UTC, so these remain intraday. BTC bullish trigger: a reclaim of 82,700 through 84,400. Bearish trigger: a slip through 80,400, then 79,800.

Key Takeaways: Crypto
  • Bitcoin about $81,504 vs this morning about $81,480; 21 EMA $82,700 still lost
  • Ether about $2,407; prints labeled intraday
  • BTC bullish trigger: reclaim $82,700; bearish: $80,400, then $79,800

After-Hours and Overnight Watch

Chemistry Building at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, evening review for Oct 23 2026

US cash still has about an hour as of 19:00 UTC. Final University of Michigan October sentiment printed 48.0 against a 46.3 flash and September's 48.1 (Surveys of Consumers, Seeking Alpha). It remains the second-lowest reading on record after May's 44.8. Current conditions printed 46.7 and expectations 48.8. One-year inflation expectations printed 4.7 percent and five-year 3.5 percent. Spot gold last printed about 4,000 dollars (TradingView 4,000.785, Kitco 4,000.00 at 2:29 PM EDT), after this morning's about 4,009. Kitco's session range is 3,975.10 to 4,040.20. The morning bearish reference near 3,986 was taken. The 4,100 zone is overhead. Gold bullish trigger: a reclaim of 4,100. Bearish trigger: a slip through the session low near 3,975. The Fed remains in blackout through October 29 ahead of the October 27-28 FOMC. Docket: the calendar and the week ahead. Scenarios to watch.

Key Takeaways: Overnight
  • Michigan final 48.0 vs flash 46.3 and September 48.1; 1-year inflation 4.7%
  • Gold ~$4,000; morning bearish $3,986 taken; $4,100 overhead
  • Cash still open until 20:00 UTC; FOMC October 27-28

For live prices see the ThriveInMarkets homepage. None of the above is a recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Index prints are intraday as of 19:00 UTC Friday, October 23, 2026. Gold, oil, Bitcoin and Ether are live and labeled intraday.