US Major Stocks Slip as Yields, Oil Lift Inflation Concerns; RBA Decision in Focus

Key Takeaways

  • China and the US cut tariffs and extended their trade truce, but US stocks still fell as oil prices and Treasury yields rose, and investors doubted progress on a peace deal with Iran.
  • Gold dropped sharply as the dollar and yields climbed, and markets reassessed the chance of another Fed hike.

Today’s Focus: The RBA is expected to raise rates by 25 bps to 4.60% due to strong inflation. Watch the statement and Governor Bullock for clues on whether further hikes are coming in November or if rates will pause for the rest of the year. Later, US JOLTS job openings for August (forecast 7.24M) will set the tone ahead of Friday’s non-farm payrolls.

 

Global Markets 29/09/2026

  • Dow -0.67%, S&P 500 -0.77%, Nasdaq -0.92% at Monday’s close.
  • Yields edged higher; the dollar was steady.
  • Gold slid nearly 4% to a 7+ week low.
  • Oil posted modest gains after Qatar signaled that separate US-Iran talks would continue.
  • Bitcoin also fell over 1% to about $83,000 on higher yields and stalled Iran negotiations.

 

Economic Calendar

Time (GMT+8)EventImportance
12:30Australia RBA Interest Rate Decision***
13:30Australia RBA Governor Bullock Press Conference***
17:00Eurozone September Economic Sentiment Indicator**
20:30Canada July GDP**
22:00US August JOLTS Job Openings***
22:00US September Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index**

Key Events on September 30 (GMT+8)

Time (GMT+8)EventImportance
04:30API Crude Oil Stock Change**
09:30Australia August CPI YoY**
09:30China September NBS Manufacturing & Non-Manufacturing PMI**
14:00UK Q2 GDP QoQ (Final)**
15:55Germany September Unemployment Rate**
20:00Germany September CPI YoY (Preliminary)***
20:15US September ADP Employment Change**
20:30US Q2 GDP Annualized QoQ (Final)**
20:30US August Core PCE Price Index YoY***
22:30EIA Crude Oil Stock Change**

 

Markets Analysis 29/09/2026

EUR/USD chart on 29 September 2026 with resistance at 1.1389 and 1.1412, support at 1.1342 and 1.1312, bias pressured.

  • Resistance: 1.1389/1.1412
  • Support: 1.1342/1.1312

EUR/USD stays weak as the US dollar holds near a two-month high, boosted by rising US Treasury yields and stronger expectations for Fed rate hikes.

Analyst View: The pair remains capped below 1.1400. With Germany’s inflation data due Wednesday and US payrolls Friday, EUR/USD is likely to remain defensive unless the dollar rally cools.

Bias: Pressured, range-bound

 

GBP/USD chart on 29 September 2026 with resistance at 1.3274 and 1.3334, support at 1.3179 and 1.3119, bias pressured.

  • Resistance: 1.3274/1.3334
  • Support: 1.3179/1.3119

Sterling remains under pressure as US yields hit levels not seen since 2007 and markets are betting on a Fed hike in October.

Analyst View: GBP/USD is trading in a tight recent range, with limited UK catalysts until Wednesday’s final Q2 GDP. A drop below 1.3179 may test 1.3119; only a rebound above 1.3274 would reduce near-term bearish pressure.

Bias: Pressured, range-bound

 

USD/JPY chart on 29 September 2026 with resistance at 157.59 and 158.32, support at 156.69 and 155.96, bias consolidating.

  • Resistance: 157.59/158.32
  • Support: 156.69/155.96

USD/JPY was flat as Japan’s currency diplomat, Atsushi Mimura, warned against excessive yen weakness, offsetting support from the US–Japan yield gap and stronger Fed hike bets.

Analyst View: Intervention risk keeps the pair capped near 159.00. A daily close below 156.50 would turn bias bearish. For now, it’s consolidating between these forces, with CME FedWatch showing roughly a 70% chance of another Fed hike in October.

Bias: Consolidating, two-way risk

 

US Crude Oil Futures (OCT) chart on 29 September 2026 with resistance at 95.66 and 97.78, support at 91.44 and 88.78, volatile bias.

  • Resistance: 95.66/97.78
  • Support: 91.44/88.78

Oil rose over 1% on Monday, with WTI near $95/bbl, after Iran said it won’t relax terms for reopening the Strait of Hormuz following Trump’s rejection of its proposal. Gains eased after reports said Trump could ease sanctions for progress on Iran’s nuclear program.

Analyst View: Crude ended below session highs as markets balance ongoing Hormuz risks against renewed diplomacy. Expect choppy, headline-driven volatility around the resumption of US-Iran talks this week.

Bias: Volatile, headline-driven

 

Spot Gold (XAU/USD) chart on 29 September 2026 with resistance at 4167 and 4193, support at 4086 and 4052, under pressure.

  • Resistance: 4167/4193
  • Support: 4086/4052

 

Spot Silver (XAG/USD) chart on 29 September 2026 with resistance at 61.68 and 62.29, support at 59.65 and 59.03, under pressure.

  • Resistance: 61.68/62.29
  • Support: 59.65/59.03

Gold dropped about 3–4% on Monday to its lowest since early August, breaking below $4,200. Higher oil prices revived inflation worries and boosted October Fed hike odds to 66–70%; a firmer dollar and rising Treasury yields added pressure. Silver also fell, slipping below $62.

Analyst View: Oil-driven inflation fears are dominating and supporting the case for further Fed tightening. Key focus is the 4,086–4,052 support zone—if it breaks, gold may retest the early-August lows.

Bias: Under heavy pressure

 

Dow Jones Futures chart on 29 September 2026 with resistance at 52037 and 52407, support at 50811 and 50332, retreating bias.

  • Resistance: 52037/52407
  • Support: 50811/50332

The Dow fell 0.67% to around 51,500, giving back most of Friday’s gains as Treasury yields rose to their highest levels since 2007.

Analyst View: It closed below 51,900 on inflation concerns and with PCE data and Friday’s payrolls ahead. The next direction likely depends on whether yield momentum continues.

Bias: Retreating from resistance

 

NASDAQ 100 chart on 29 September 2026 with resistance at 30563 and 30801, support at 30019 and 29777, pressured bias.

  • Resistance: 30563/30801
  • Support: 30019/29777

The Nasdaq fell 0.92% on Monday after OpenAI said it paused training and evaluation of some advanced models following cases of unexpected agent behavior, reviving concerns about the speed of AI development.

Analyst View: Chipmakers led the drop as OpenAI news added to pressure from rising Treasury yields and the unresolved Iran standoff. Key to watch is whether the index can hold the 30,019–29,777 support band; a break would signal further downside in the AI-led pullback.

Bias: Pressured by AI-safety concerns

 

Bitcoin (BTC/USD) chart on 29 September 2026 with resistance at 84452 and 85949, support at 81161 and 79689, consolidating bias.

  • Resistance: 84452/85949
  • Support: 81161/79689

Bitcoin fell more than 1% to about $83,000, extending weekend losses after rising Treasury yields and stalled US-Iran peace talks dented risk appetite. BTC also failed to stay above $87,000, though US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw strong inflows of $2.39B over the prior five trading days.

Analyst View: MFI and KST still point to underlying buying pressure, but it’s fading—suggesting profit-taking rather than a full trend reversal. Holding the 81,161–79,689 support band keeps recovery intact and could retest 84,452–85,949 resistance; a break increases the risk of a deeper pullback.

Bias: Consolidating after pullback

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only. Happy trading!

About the author

 

Martin Lam is ATFX Chief Analyst for Asia Pacific, with over 20 years of experience in global forex and investment markets. He holds a degree in Finance and Economics from Deakin University and has held senior roles at leading FX brokerage firms.

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