Take the Zacks Approach to Beat the Markets: Bloom Energy, Microsoft & Amgen in Focus

Last week, major U.S. stock indexes ended lower, with the Nasdaq Composite, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining by 0.20%, 0.27% and 0.42%, respectively. Persistent U.S.-Iran tensions, elevated oil prices and Treasury yields, and concerns over inflation and interest rates weighed on investor sentiment. Consumer sentiment remained weak, with the University of Michigan's final September index at 48.1, down from 51.7 in August. Initial weekly jobless claims fell to 197,000 for the week ended September 19, while continuing claims edged up to 1.719 million. Housing also offered a bright spot, with new home sales jumping 6.4% in August to an annualized 684,000 units, the highest level since December 2025.