United States economy · October 2026

In the United States on October 1, 2026, the 10-year Treasury yield reached its highest level since 2002, part of a broader climb in US bond yields to their highest point in almost 25 years. US stocks opened higher as strength in software shares offset pressure from the bond market, while oil prices changed little as investors assessed US-Iran peace talks and Gulf exports. Federal Reserve policymakers signaled the central bank will likely keep interest rates on hold in October, with some suggesting the next increase can wait. Fed's Logan called for '50 bps or more' in rate hikes while also saying bond moves could help, and Jefferson said the Fed may need more time to weigh its next move. Google is testing artificial intelligence data centers in space, including a project called Project Suncatcher, working with SpaceX, and estimates that SpaceX's Starship would have to launch about 1,800 times before such space data centers can get off the ground. The United States imposed sanctions on Iran's automotive and railway sectors, targeting the defense company Cavalier Group and its CEO over alleged support for Iran, as well as the Kremlin-backed fintech A7 for allegedly assisting Iran. Amazon announced new Kindle e-readers that are thinner and lighter, with aluminum casings, more colors, and a flush screen, along with a new remote for turning pages, and secured a 20-year nuclear power agreement with Constellation. California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the state to keep using the term 'artificial intelligence' after President Trump pushed a rebrand to 'super intelligence,' and the state banned AI-powered firing of employees.