Stock Market Today: October 26, 2026 — Small Caps Lead as Energy and Tech Rally

TL;DR: The S&P 500 closed 0.70% higher at 7,676.77 and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.82% to end at 26,169.38, led by sector ETF gains in Energy and Technology, while Surgery Partners gained 47.62% to close at 23.25 as the day's most striking small-cap move.

The tape opened with a clear risk-on tone as the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund led all eleven sector ETFs with a 3.06% daily gain, pushing the ETF to a 52.55% year-to-date advance. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund followed with a 2.18% rise, contributing to the Nasdaq Composite's 0.82% increase to 26,169.38. Crude oil fell 2.09% to 101.11 per barrel even as energy equities outperformed, while gold added 0.40% to settle at 4,023.90. The VIX dropped 5.45% to 18.39 and the 10-year Treasury yield eased to 4.99, suggesting a risk-off rotation in rates despite the equity rally. The US Dollar Index rose 0.22% to 102.04.

SGRY Leads Top Gainers with 47.62% Jump to 23.25

Surgery Partners, Inc. was the day's strongest performer among top gainers, closing at 23.25 after a 47.62% single-session advance. The move stands out as the largest percentage gain in today's tape and places the small-cap name at the top of the gainers list ahead of Range Resources Corporation, which added 17.66% to close at 53.56. No volume figure or specific catalyst is present in today's data, so the move is recorded as a price action observation without an attributed driver.

RRC Adds 17.66% as Energy Sector ETF Rises 3.06%

Range Resources Corporation closed at 53.56, up 17.66% on the day, aligning with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund's 3.06% gain and its 52.55% year-to-date advance. The name ranks second among today's top gainers, reinforcing the sector's leadership in an otherwise mixed tape where defensive groups such as Consumer Staples and Communication Services declined. As with the prior story, today's data does not include a specific news catalyst or volume print for the move.

XP Collapses 48.36% to 15.705 as Top Loser

XP Inc. posted the day's steepest decline, falling 48.36% to close at 15.705 and leading the top losers list well ahead of PagSeguro Digital Ltd., which dropped 25.17% to 8.56. The magnitude of the move makes it the most striking decliner in today's data, though no specific catalyst, earnings result, or volume figure is included in the capture. Brazilian financial names dominated the downside, with Itau Unibanco Banco Holding SA falling 20.37% to 7.70 and Companhia Paranaense de Energia losing 19.55% to close at 11.19.

THE NUMBERS BLOCK

The S&P 500 closed at 7,676.77, up 0.70% on the day and 11.93% year-to-date. The Nasdaq Composite ended at 26,169.38, gaining 0.82% for the session and 12.63% year-to-date. The Dow Jones finished at 52,361.58, up 0.28% on the day and 8.22% year-to-date. The Russell 2000 closed at 2,786.42, adding 0.38% for the session and 11.09% year-to-date.

The VIX fell 5.45% to 18.39. The 10-year Treasury yield stood at 4.99, down 0.04% on the day. The US Dollar Index rose 0.22% to 102.04. WTI crude declined 2.09% to 101.11 per barrel. Gold gained 0.40% to settle at 4,023.90.

Today's pattern of outsized small-cap percentage moves on both sides of the tape suggests scanner traders should watch for extended names into tomorrow's open, with today's gainers the most relevant surface for catching continuation setups.