S&P 500 closes 31 points higher as healthcare leads
Published on 10/20/2026 at 23:02 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSHealthcare rotation and earnings
- The S&P 500 closed at 7,721 points on October 20, up 31 points or 0.4 percent.
- Healthcare rose 1.8 percent as oil fell 1.2 percent to USD 108.23.
- Equifax gained 10.6 percent after beating third-quarter profit expectations.
- The S&P 500 opens at 9:30 a.m. ET on October 21 before Meta and Tesla earnings.
The S&P 500 closed at 7,721 points on October 20, gaining 31 points or 0.4 percent. Healthcare led the advance as oil prices and Treasury yields eased.
Equifax rose 10.6 percent after exceeding third-quarter profit expectations, according to Associated Press. General Motors fell 8.2 percent after its full-year profit outlook disappointed, while Hasbro gained 9.3 percent.
Why did the S&P 500 rise on October 20?
Healthcare rose 1.8 percent and financials gained 1 percent, according to Reuters. Energy lagged, while Meta fell 2.2 percent and pressured communication services.
Investors also responded to softer housing data. Pending home sales fell 7.3 percent in September, while the 10-year Treasury yield declined to 5.096 percent, Reuters reported.
Earnings movers shape the S&P 500
Equifax advanced 10.6 percent after reporting stronger-than-expected profit. Hasbro climbed 9.3 percent after its Magic: The Gathering business exceeded USD 600 million in quarterly revenue.
General Motors sank 8.2 percent despite higher profit, as its full-year forecast midpoint fell below analyst expectations. 3M rose 5.8 percent after stronger earnings and a higher profit forecast, according to the Associated Press.
Oil and yields ease as leadership rotates
Brent crude fell 1.2 percent to USD 108.23 after reaching a five-month high. The pullback followed reports about possible mediation involving Iran, while supply risks remained in focus.
Value stocks outperformed growth stocks. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by 2.46 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange, according to Reuters.
What comes next for the S&P 500?
- October 21, 2026, 9:30 a.m. ET: The next regular S&P 500 session opens, with the index facing a fresh earnings test.
- October 21, 2026: Meta and Tesla are scheduled to release quarterly results, according to Reuters.
S&P 500 price data for October 20, 2026
The S&P 500 closed at 7,721 points on October 20, 2026, according to Reuters. It gained 31 points or 0.4 percent from 7,691 points on October 19, 2026.
S&P 500 by the numbers on October 20, 2026
- Index: S&P 500
- Home exchange: NYSE and Nasdaq, United States
- Close on October 20, 2026: 7,721 points
- Change versus previous close of October 19, 2026: up 31 points (up 0.4 percent)
- Previous close: 7,691 points
- Top gainer: Equifax up 10.6 percent
- Top loser: General Motors down 8.2 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 21, 2026, 9:30 a.m. ET: Next regular S&P 500 session opens
