Stock Market Midday, Oct. 2: Stocks Rally as Weak Jobs Data Cools Fed Rate Hike Bets

U.S. stock markets rallied on October 2, 2026, following weaker-than-expected September employment data showing only 29,000 jobs added and unemployment rising to 4.2%. The soft labor report reduced expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike this month from 64% to 21%, boosting investor sentiment particularly in tech and growth stocks. The Nasdaq Composite hit a record high, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones also gained.