Stock Market Today: October 30, 2026 — Tech Selloff, Staples Lead
The Nasdaq Composite fell 2.86% to 25,437.00 while defensive staples and health care led sector gains as the VIX jumped 12.91% to 19.42.
Tech Stocks Lead Broad Decline as Nasdaq Drops 2.86%
The Nasdaq Composite closed down 2.86% at 25,437.00, the steepest index decline of the session. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund XLK fell 6.02%, marking the worst sector performance of the day. The S&P 500 ended down 1.82% at 7,580.07, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.09% to close at 51,770.31. The Russell 2000 declined 1.66% to 2,811.84. The Cboe Volatility Index ^VIX rose 12.91% to 19.42, reflecting the intensity of the equity selling.
Reddit Shares Plunge 29.22% as Top Loser
RDDT led the day's decliners, closing at 91.73 after a 29.22% drop. The social-media stock posted the largest percentage loss among all names in today's data. INTC followed with a 28.58% decline to 65.76, while CACC fell 19.26% to 464.89. ILMN dropped 18.64% to 235.99 and RBLX finished down 18.05% at 42.99.
CareDx Rallies 22.22% to Lead Gainers
CDNA was the session's top gainer, climbing 22.22% to close at 87.41. CPRI gained 16.31% to 18.68, and FDXF advanced 14.91% to 126.04. MEOH rose 14.04% to 71.57, while REGN added 13.33% to close at 927.89.
Defensive Sectors Outperform as Technology Retreats
Consumer staples XLP led sector ETFs with a 2.97% gain, bringing its year-to-date return to +15.10%. Health care XLV rose 2.87% and is up 18.88% year-to-date. Real estate XLRE climbed 2.47%, while energy XLE added 2.29% to extend a 53.38% year-to-date advance. Utilities XLU gained 2.21%. At the other end, communication services XLC fell 3.14%, its year-to-date loss now at -14.54%. Consumer discretionary XLY finished essentially flat at +0.04% and remains negative for the year at -2.51%.
Scanner Takeaway: Watch Monday's Gappers for Reversal Setups
Today's tape separated sharply by factor, with defensive sectors bid and growth names under pressure. Traders scanning for Monday should prioritize names that gapped against the day's trend, particularly in the health care and staples groups that outperformed. Review today's full list of decliners for potential reversal candidates at today's losers.
The Numbers Block
Indexes
- S&P 500: 7,580.07 (-1.82% day, +10.52% YTD)
- Nasdaq Composite: 25,437.0 (-2.86% day, +9.47% YTD)
- Dow Jones: 51,770.31 (-1.09% day, +7.00% YTD)
- Russell 2000: 2,811.84 (-1.66% day, +12.11% YTD)
Macro, Rates, Commodities
- VIX: 19.42 (+12.91% day)
- 10-Year Treasury Yield: 4.93 (-1.20% day)
- US Dollar Index: 101.96 (-0.07% day)
- WTI Crude: 102.95 (+0.93% day)
- Gold: 3,884.9 (-3.63% day)
Sector Scorecard (today % + YTD %, ranked)
| Sector ETF | Today | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| XLP Consumer Staples | +2.97% | +15.10% |
| XLV Health Care | +2.87% | +18.88% |
| XLRE Real Estate | +2.47% | +6.91% |
| XLE Energy | +2.29% | +53.38% |
| XLU Utilities | +2.21% | +0.58% |
| XLB Materials | +1.70% | +14.35% |
| XLF Financials | +0.68% | +2.88% |
| XLY Consumer Discretionary | +0.04% | -2.51% |
| XLI Industrials | -0.65% | +5.96% |
| XLC Communication Services | -3.14% | -14.54% |
| XLK Technology | -6.02% | +24.40% |
What to watch tomorrow
- Monday's open for continuation in defensive sectors after today's 2%+ gains in staples and health care.
- Technology names for stabilization after the 6.02% sector decline.