The Nasdaq Composite closed 0.15% lower at 27,204.38 on Tuesday, pressured by a sharp decline in semiconductor stocks following announcements from Chinese memory maker CXMT.

Chip sector weakness drove the broader market decline. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix fell in Seoul after CXMT reported progress on a more efficient memory-cell design. In the U.S., Micron Technology dropped 3.6% and Applied Materials tumbled 6.7%.

Mixed bank earnings and sector performance

Financial sector results presented a mixed picture. JPMorgan Chase posted downbeat third-quarter earnings, while Goldman Sachs Group exceeded market expectations. Wells Fargo & Co. shares fell 3.1% following weak quarterly revenue reports. Investors awaited further results from Bank of America Corp., Morgan Stanley, and Progressive Corp.

Most S&P 500 sectors closed lower, with health care, consumer staples, and financials recording the biggest losses. Energy and communication services bucked the trend, closing higher.

Market indices and sentiment

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 181 points to 51,670.10. The S&P 500 slipped 0.02% to 7,805.45. Economic data showed the U.S. NFIB small business optimism index fell to 97.9 in September from 98.7 in August, hitting a three-month low.

What the numbers show

Market sentiment remains cautious but stable. The CNN Business Fear & Greed Index stood at 45, down slightly from a prior reading of 46, keeping it firmly in the "Neutral" zone. This reading suggests that neither extreme fear nor greed is currently dominating investor behavior, despite the specific sectoral volatility in semiconductors and mixed banking results.

Humana Inc (NYSE: HUM) shares jumped 12.3% to $434.84 on Friday following an announcement that its 2027 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings improved significantly.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that 95% of Humana members are now enrolled in plans earning at least four stars. Additionally, 42% of members are in plans rated 4.5 stars or higher, reflecting broad improvements across the portfolio. The company also reaffirmed its FY26 adjusted EPS guidance.

Other notable gainers

Several other stocks recorded significant gains during Friday's session, led by biotech and technology names.

What the numbers show

The divergence between Humana's share price surge and the broader market context highlights the material impact of regulatory quality metrics on healthcare insurers. With 95% of members in 4+ star plans, Humana significantly reduces its exposure to financial penalties associated with lower-rated plans, directly supporting the reaffirmed FY26 adjusted EPS guidance. This concentration of high-quality enrollment suggests a structural improvement in plan performance rather than a temporary fluctuation.