Global stock indexes fall as crude oil hits six month high

Major global stock indexes ended lower on Friday, October 23, 2026, even as technology shares largely stabilized following an earlier selloff. Metrobank Wealth Insights reported that technology stocks held steady despite general market declines, while United States Treasury yields increased and France experienced market respite. [1]

Crude oil prices extended their recent gains during the session. Metrobank Wealth Insights reported that Brent crude oil reached its highest level in nearly six months after Houthi attacks occurred in Saudi Arabia. Energy markets had already seen rising prices ahead of the latest geopolitical disruptions. [1]

A semiconductor index rose 0.4 percent on Friday to help stabilize the technology sector. Metrobank Wealth Insights reported that this partial recovery followed a steep drop on Thursday, which was the largest daily percentage decline for semiconductor stocks since June after a report from Meta Platforms renewed investor concerns. [1]

The stability in technology shares follows ongoing volatility in the sector. As FTMQ Business reported earlier, United States stock markets previously finished mixed on October 12, 2026, when a semiconductor selloff pulled the Nasdaq Composite down by 0.44 percent to 27,245.90, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.38 percent to 51,850.55. [3]

Market capitalization represents the total market value of a publicly traded company's outstanding shares. Country-level stock market figures measure the combined capitalization of all domestic companies listed within that nation. [2]