Stock Market Recap for Wednesday, September 16, 2026
The major U.S. stock indexes ended **mixed** on Wednesday, **September 16, 2026**, after the **Federal Reserve delivered its first rate hike in over three years** in a unanimous vote, raising the benchmark rate to 3.75%-4.00%, and Chair Kevin Warsh signaled another increase is likely before year-end. Stocks surged immediately after the 2pm announcement then reversed sharply during Warsh's press conference, leaving a dramatic split: the Dow down 630 points, the Nasdaq flat, and the bond market in another wave of selling.
The **S&P 500** fell **0.45%** (-33.92 pts) to **7,551.81.** The **Dow** plunged **1.21%** (-631.21 pts) to **51,461.90**, its worst session in over a month. The **Nasdaq** was essentially unchanged, slipping just **0.01%** (-3.15 pts) to **25,978.42.** The **Russell 2000** dropped **0.40%** (-11.46 pts) to **2,858.82.**
The **VIX** rose **2.21%** to **17.58.** **Gold** eased **0.56%** to **$4,308.70.** **Crude Oil** pulled back **3.50%** to **$102.13/barrel.**