Stocks Split at Midday as Oil Jumps and Geopolitical Risk Lifts the VIX
Hyperdash NewsMacroUS stocks were mixed at midday Friday as a jump in Crude and renewed geopolitical risk weighed on sentiment. The S&P 500 held slightly higher at 7,814, while the Nasdaq slipped to 27,304 as the VIX jumped and Treasury yields firmed.
Scoreboard
- S&P 500 7,814 (+0.03%)
- Euro Stoxx 50 6,196 (+0.37%)
- Nikkei 225 69,031 (-0.02%)
- Gold 4,192 (-0.56%)
- WTI 93.66 (+1.97%)
- US 10Y 5.242% (+1bp)
- DXY 102.5750 (+0.35%)
- Bitcoin 82,658 (-0.88%)
- VIX 15.14 (+2.02%)
- DE 10Y 3.474% (+0bp)
The morning's main driver was a reported update to Russia's nuclear doctrine under President Putin, a headline that lifted safe-haven demand, pushed the VIX up +2.02% to 15.14 and firmed Treasuries, with the US 10Y yield edging up +1bp to 5.242%. Energy led the tape as WTI jumped +1.97% to 93.66 and Brent climbed +1.88% to 106.69. The dollar edged higher, with the DXY up +0.35% to 102.5750. Gold slipped -0.56% to 4,192 even as China reported record Gold imports. Bitcoin fell -0.88% to 82,658.
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The takeaway
The session showed divergence between the broad index and the Nasdaq, which fell -0.23%. Firmer Treasury yields pressured high-multiple growth shares, while the jump in Crude supported energy names. That split left the S&P 500 roughly flat even as the VIX jumped +2.02%.
Afternoon attention turns to further headlines on Russia's nuclear doctrine, which drove the morning's safe-haven moves, and to any follow-through in Crude after WTI jumped. Bank earnings are due next week, and the options market is positioning ahead of those reports. Traders will also watch whether the US 10Y yield holds its gain into the close.
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Frequently asked questions: October 12, 2026
What happened in the markets today?
US stocks were mixed at midday. The S&P 500 held slightly higher at 7,814 while the Nasdaq slipped to 27,304, as reported changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine lifted the VIX and WTI jumped to 93.66.
Did the stock market go up or down today?
It was split. The S&P 500 was up +0.03% at 7,814, while the Nasdaq was down -0.23% at 27,304 as firmer yields pressured growth shares.
Why did markets move today?
The main driver was a reported update to Russia's nuclear doctrine under President Putin, which lifted safe-haven demand, sent the VIX up +2.02% and firmed Treasury yields. A jump in Crude, with WTI up +1.97%, supported energy shares.
How did the S&P 500 do today?
The S&P 500 was roughly flat at midday, up +0.03% at 7,814, as strength in energy shares offset pressure on growth names from firmer Treasury yields.
What did the dollar and Treasury yields do today?
The dollar edged higher, with the DXY up +0.35% to 102.5750, and the US 10Y yield edged up +1bp to 5.242% as safe-haven demand firmed Treasuries.
Where can I track live market data across asset classes?
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