# Market Recap: Bullish Tilt Continues as S&P 500 Gains by Sept 28, 2026

**Category:** Weekly Recap | **Published:** Monday, September 28, 2026 | **Author:** Haruspex

> Haruspex analysis for the week ending September 28, 2026, reveals a bullish tilt with 74% of stocks showing positive directional pressure. The S&P 500 advanced 

## Stock Scores

| Symbol | Company | Score | Change | Outlook |
|--------|---------|-------|--------|---------|
| LECO | Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. | 67.0 | +14.0 | bullish |
| VST | Vistra Corp. | 66.0 | +14.0 | bullish |
| AMG | Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. | 71.0 | +13.0 | bullish |
| FIGR | Figure Technology Solutions, Inc. | 41.0 | -16.0 | bearish |
| DRI | Darden Restaurants, Inc. | 52.0 | -14.0 | neutral |

**TL;DR:** Haruspex data for the week ending September 28, 2026, shows a distinct bullish tilt, with 74% of analyzed stocks exhibiting positive directional pressure. The S&P 500 posted a modest gain, supported by stable macro conditions. Key movers like **LECO** and **VST** surged on increased market interest, while **FIGR**'s score declined significantly.

The week ending 2026-09-28 ET saw the broader market sustain a positive trajectory, with the S&P 500 closing at 7743.41, a gain of +0.51% [data: 2026-09-28 close]. Haruspex analysis covered 681 stocks, identifying a pervasive bullish directional pressure across the market. The average Haruspex score rose to 58.9, reflecting a general increase in positive trading signals.

This week's data highlighted a significant rotation, with 192 stocks registering as biggest weekly gainers in terms of market pressure, compared to 80 biggest weekly losers. The dominant theme was a sustained appetite for specific industrial, financial, and technology names that showed strong underlying directional shifts.

## Macro Regime Monitor

Key macroeconomic indicators remained largely stable, providing a backdrop for specific stock movements rather than broad market upheaval. The VIX, a measure of market volatility, held at 16.02 [data: 2026-09-28 close], suggesting moderate investor caution. The 10-Year Treasury Yield continued its ascent, reaching 5.21% [data: 2026-09-28 close].

WTI Crude Oil prices remained elevated at $94.19 [data: 2026-09-28 close], indicating persistent energy cost pressures that can impact margin-sensitive sectors. The US Dollar Index (DXY) registered 101.20 [data: 2026-09-28 close], holding its strength against a basket of major currencies. These levels define the current market regime.

| Metric | Current Value | Source Date |
| --- | --- | --- |
| S&P 500 | 7743.41 (+0.51%) | 2026-09-28 close |
| VIX | 16.02 | 2026-09-28 close |
| 10Y Treasury Yield | 5.21% | 2026-09-28 close |
| WTI Crude Oil | $94.19 | 2026-09-28 close |
| US Dollar Index (DXY) | 101.20 | 2026-09-28 close |

### What does a 5.21% 10-Year Treasury Yield mean for the market?

A 10-Year Treasury Yield at 5.21% suggests that investors are demanding higher returns for holding government debt, which can influence borrowing costs for corporations and consumers. This level typically indicates a preference for fixed income over riskier assets or expectations of persistent inflation. Higher yields can put pressure on growth stocks and sectors reliant on easy credit.

It acts as a key discount rate for future cash flows, potentially dampening valuations for companies with long-duration earnings. However, certain sectors like financials may benefit from wider net interest margins in such an environment, as seen in some of the weekly gainers.

## Winners of the Week: Strong Bullish Pressure Detected

The top score improvers this week showed significant shifts towards strong bullish directional pressure, as detected by Haruspex's comprehensive analysis. These movements were often supported by concurrent positive signals across various market dimensions.

**LECO** (Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.) saw its score jump 14 points to 67.0, indicating robust bullish pressure. This directional signal was underpinned by strong technical_momentum and an increase in institutional_flow, signaling growing market conviction. The stock closed at $271.70 [data: 2026-09-28 close], reflecting a +1.99% gain on the day.

**VST** (Vistra Corp.) also gained 14 points, reaching a score of 66.0, signifying bullish market pressure. Haruspex data detected improving sentiment indicators and increased options_flow activity, often precursors to sustained price movement. **VST** traded at $138.46 [data: 2026-09-28 close], with a +0.38% daily increase.

**AMG** (Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.) climbed 13 points to a strong bullish score of 71.0. This significant directional shift was attributed to positive changes in both technical_momentum and social_sentiment dimensions. The stock finished at $373.69 [data: 2026-09-28 close], up +0.80% on the day.

**DAL** (Delta Air Lines) moved up 12 points, achieving a bullish score of 71.0. Haruspex analysis showed increasing market pressure through enhanced buying activity in the technicals and improved analyst sentiment. The travel sector generally showed resilience this week.

**SNPS** (Synopsys Inc.) also recorded a 12-point gain, pushing its score to 69.0, reflecting strong bullish pressure. This movement was largely driven by robust institutional_flow and consistent positive social_sentiment signals. Demand for software and intellectual property continued to be a theme.

## Losers of the Week: Declining Market Pressure

Conversely, several stocks experienced notable declines in their Haruspex scores, indicating weakening market directional pressure. These shifts often reflected a decrease in favorable trading signals across multiple dimensions.

**FIGR** (Figure Technology Solutions, Inc.) experienced the largest decline, dropping 16 points to a bearish score of 41.0. This sharp reversal was driven by a deterioration in technical_momentum and negative options_flow trends, suggesting investor caution. **FIGR** closed at $31.90 [data: 2026-09-28 close], down -2.33% on the day.

**DRI** (Darden Restaurants, Inc.) saw its score decrease by 14 points to 52.0, moving into a neutral directional outlook. Haruspex data indicated reduced social_sentiment and a weakening in short-term technical indicators. The stock ended the day at $199.75 [data: 2026-09-28 close], marking a -3.61% daily drop.

**VRSN** (VeriSign, Inc.) registered a 12-point decline, settling at a neutral score of 53.0. This shift was attributed to a decrease in institutional_flow and a softening in its technical_momentum dimension. The market's directional preference for **VRSN** lessened throughout the week.

**USAR** (USA Rare Earth, Inc.) also fell 12 points, pushing its score to 47.0, indicating a neutral to slightly bearish market pressure. Haruspex data detected a decrease in positive news sentiment and a pullback in buying signals. Commodity-related stocks can be volatile, reacting to shifts in global supply and demand narratives.

**WDC** (Western Digital Corporation) saw an 11-point drop, bringing its score to 48.0, signaling neutral market pressure. This change was largely due to a dip in technical_momentum and a less favorable options_flow. The semiconductor and data storage sector continues to navigate evolving demand cycles.

## Market Sentiment Shift

The market's overall directional sentiment notably shifted towards a more bullish stance this week. The average Haruspex score across 681 analyzed stocks improved to 58.9. This figure represents a slight increase from recent weeks, moving closer to the bullish threshold of 60.

Critically, the percentage of stocks showing bullish pressure rose to 74%. This widespread positive signal across a significant portion of the market suggests that capital is actively seeking opportunities in various sectors, rather than concentrating in a few defensive areas. The distribution of gainers over losers further reinforces this narrative.

    
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## Key Takeaways

- Haruspex analysis indicates a net bullish market environment, with 74% of stocks showing positive directional pressure and an average score of 58.9.
- Strong technical_momentum and options_flow signals drove significant bullish pressure in industrial and financial names like **LECO** and **AMG**.
- A rise in the 10-Year Treasury Yield to 5.21% creates a challenging environment for some growth assets, while potentially benefiting financials.
- Declines in names like **FIGR** and **DRI** stemmed from weakening technicals and social_sentiment, reflecting a targeted pullback in market interest.

## What Would Change This View

The current bullish tilt would be invalidated if the S&P 500 records two consecutive weekly closes below its 50-day moving average, accompanied by a VIX reading consistently above 20 [data: 2026-09-28 close]. A sustained reversal in the overall market's technical structure would signal a shift in broader sentiment.

Additionally, a sharp, sustained decline in WTI Crude Oil prices below $85 [data: 2026-09-28 close], or a significant break lower in the US Dollar Index below 98 [data: 2026-09-28 close], could alter sector leadership and the macro regime, impacting the detected directional pressures. Such changes would prompt a re-evaluation of current market themes.

## Week Ahead Outlook

As the market moves into the next week, investors should monitor the 10-Year Treasury Yield for continued upward pressure, as this will influence capital allocation decisions. Energy prices remain a critical factor, with WTI Crude Oil near $94, impacting various corporate margins. The strength in the US dollar could also influence international earnings for large cap companies.

Haruspex will continue to track directional shifts, especially in sectors that have recently shown significant score improvements or declines. The focus will be on whether the current bullish breadth can be sustained in the face of persistent macro headwinds, particularly rising rates.

*Disclaimer: Haruspex provides data-driven market directional pressure signals. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk.*

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*Source: [Haruspex Insights](https://haruspex.guru/insights/weekly-recap-2026-09-28)*
*Disclaimer: AI-generated analysis for informational purposes only. Not financial advice.*