US Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Futures Edge Higher As Factory Data Stays Soft

The Morning Bull - US Market Morning Update Monday, Sep, 21 2026

US stock futures are mixed this morning, with broad S&P 500 contracts slightly higher while Dow-linked futures edge lower, as investors weigh soft factory output against firm borrowing costs and global politics. US manufacturing output slipped 0.3% in August and capacity use for factories sat at 75.7%, which signals companies are not running near full tilt and may be cautious about new investment or hiring. At the same time, the 10 year Treasury yield is near 4.94%, keeping pressure on mortgage rates and rate sensitive areas. The key question now is whether big tech and AI exposed companies can stay in favor if higher rates keep squeezing small caps and real estate.

With rates staying high and factory data looking soft, many investors are shifting focus toward quality balance sheets and resilient earnings. That is exactly where 30 resilient stocks with low risk scores can help you concentrate your research.

Top Movers

• Strategy (MSTR) surged 16.39% after Bitcoin strength helped fuel renewed interest in crypto exposed stocks.
• Pershing Square (PS) jumped 13.69% on continued interest in Pershing Square's concentrated portfolio and active management approach.
• Coinbase Global (COIN) gained 11.66% as recent crypto sector headlines kept attention on Coinbase Global's trading platform.

Is Pershing Square still a smart investment or just hype? Read our most popular narrative and get all the answers you need.

Top Losers

• AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) declined 6.68%.
• Nucor (NUE) fell 6.32% after softer Q3 earnings guidance and multiple analyst downgrades.
• Symbotic (SYM) declined 6.10%.

Look past the noise - uncover the top narrative that explains what truly matters for Nucor's long-term success.

On The Radar

Earnings from consumer and services companies will share the spotlight with bond market moves as central banks stay active.

• Auto parts focus: AutoZone (AZO) reports Q4 2026 results on Tuesday, highlighting demand trends for repair and maintenance spending.
• Payroll and small business read: Paychex (PAYX) posts Q1 2027 numbers pre market Wednesday, with attention on client retention and employment activity.
• Everyday staples snapshot: General Mills (GIS) shares Q1 2027 results pre market Wednesday, framing pricing power and consumer appetite for packaged foods.
• Service economy lens: Cintas (CTAS) reports Q1 2027 on Wednesday, giving a view into uniforms, facilities and business activity across sectors.
• Global rates backdrop: Central bank decisions and bond yield moves through Wednesday keep pressure on borrowing costs and equity valuations.

Use our Portfolio or Watchlist features to track market-moving events like these and get alerts for the companies you own, free!

How To Find Stocks That Fit Your Strategy

You are not just looking for stocks that feel safe, you want resilient businesses that hold up when headlines get noisy. So start with list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (23 results) and focus on companies built on strong cash flows, disciplined debt levels, and fundamentals that can handle tougher conditions.

Ready to take control of your own ideas? Our stock screener helps you run custom searches that fit your style and set timely alerts so you never miss fresh opportunities.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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