Nasdaq Rises 1.2% as Weak U.S. Jobs Data Eases Rate Hike Concerns
Nasdaq Rises 1.2% as Weak U.S. Jobs Data Eases Rate Hike Concerns
US · Published Oct 4, 2026
• U.S. stock markets closed higher on October 2, 2026, following the release of weaker-than-expected September employment data. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1.19%, driven by strong performance in technology stocks, particularly in the semiconductor sector. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a modest increase of 29,000 nonfarm payrolls in September, significantly below the expected 90,
• This led to reduced expectations for another Federal Reserve interest rate hike in October. Companies like Nvidia and Micron Technology saw significant gains, with Nvidia reaching a record high and Micron reporting better-than-expected quarterly revenue of $54.23 billion. The Nasdaq has outperformed other major U.S. indices in 2026, with a year-to-date gain of 17%.

Impact & Risks

The weaker jobs data has provided temporary relief to equity markets by lowering the likelihood of an imminent Federal Reserve rate hike. However, the broader economic implications of sluggish job growth could pose challenges in the long term. The strong performance of technology stocks, particularly those linked to AI and semiconductors, highlights the sector's resilience but also raises concerns about overvaluation. Investors should remain cautious as rising bond yields and potential shifts in Federal Reserve policy could impact market stability.

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