Market Open: Stocks Slide, Oil Higher, AI Slowdown and Rate Hike in Focus • 9/14/26

Summary

CNBC's market open update reports major averages falling as investors weigh AI slowdown fears and an expected Fed rate hike. Oil rises after a Saudi pipeline shutdown, while chipmakers and Caterpillar lead the downside. A Seaport Research strategist says rate hikes may cause near-term bumps but not long-term equity damage, and an energy analyst argues oil prices remain too low.

• Major averages open lower; Dow down 160 points, S&P 500 down 55, Nasdaq down 316.
• AI slowdown fears drive a chipmaker selloff; Intel, Micron, and AMD fall sharply.
• Fed meets with a rate hike expected; strategist sees no long-term equity hit.
• Oil rises above $103 WTI and $108 Brent after a Saudi pipeline attack and shutdown.
• Energy analyst Amos Hochstein says oil prices are still too low versus the physical market.
• Retail fuel prices rise; national average gasoline is $4.31 and diesel is at a record high.
• Social Security COLA is estimated around 3.5%; box office and Emmys are also noted.