MarketAlleys Daily Brief, Wednesday October 21: Bitcoin and Ether rose over 24 hours
US ETFs were mixed at the prior close while Bitcoin and Ether advanced over 24 hours; Treasury yields were last observed on Mon Oct 19 and the ECB fixing was used for FX rates.
Global market snapshot
US equity ETFs were mixed at the prior close: the SPY ETF was $769.05 (rose 0.34%), the QQQ ETF was $717.63 (fell 0.10%), the DIA ETF was $524.36 (rose 1.05%) and the IWM ETF was $275.78 (rose 1.66%); those moves are from the prior close. Crypto was firmer over 24 hours: Bitcoin was $82,634.00 (rose 0.88%) and Ether was $2,438.90 (rose 1.45%), with Solana and XRP also higher over 24 hours.
| Instrument | Last | Change | Basis | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 (via SPY ETF) | $769.05 | +0.34% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Nasdaq 100 (via QQQ ETF) | $717.63 | -0.10% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| DAX 40 (via EWG ETF) | $41.43 | +0.95% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| FTSE 100 (via EWU ETF) | $47.76 | +0.89% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Nikkei 225 (via EWJ ETF) | $95.43 | +0.46% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Bitcoin | $82,634.00 | +0.88% | 24h | Oct 21, 05:44 UTC | CoinGecko |
| Ether | $2,438.90 | +1.45% | 24h | Oct 21, 05:44 UTC | CoinGecko |
| EUR/USD | 1.1215 | -0.09% | vs prior fix | Oct 20, 14:00 UTC | European Central Bank (euro reference rates) |
| USD/JPY | 158.13 | -0.07% | vs prior fix | Oct 20, 14:00 UTC | European Central Bank (euro reference rates) |
| Gold (via GLD ETF) | $377.65 | -0.54% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| WTI Crude Oil (via USO ETF) | $160.61 | -0.12% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Brent Crude (via BNO ETF) | $66.87 | -0.37% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
US equities: prior close
US equities at the prior close were mixed. The SPY ETF was $769.05 (rose 0.34%), the QQQ ETF was $717.63 (fell 0.10%), the DIA ETF was $524.36 (rose 1.05%) and the IWM ETF was $275.78 (rose 1.66%); all moves are from the prior close. Notable single-stock levels at the prior close included NVIDIA $216.47 (fell 0.29%), Apple $339.50 (fell 1.00%), Microsoft $531.87 (fell 0.31%) and Tesla $373.71 (rose 1.54%). Breadth tracked 32 names: 17 up, 14 down, 1 unchanged.
| Instrument | Last | Change | Basis | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 (via SPY ETF) | $769.05 | +0.34% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Nasdaq 100 (via QQQ ETF) | $717.63 | -0.10% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Dow Jones Industrial Average (via DIA ETF) | $524.36 | +1.05% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Russell 2000 (via IWM ETF) | $275.78 | +1.66% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| CBOE Volatility Index (via VIXY ETF) | $16.86 | -0.88% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
Europe and Asia
European and Asian ETFs were higher at the prior close. The EWG ETF (tracks DAX 40) was $41.43 (rose 0.95%), the EWU ETF (tracks FTSE 100) was $47.76 (rose 0.89%) and the EWJ ETF (tracks Nikkei 225) was $95.43 (rose 0.46%); these moves are from the prior close. Five-session changes varied, with the EWU ETF showing +2.01% and the EWJ ETF at -1.94% over the five sessions.
| Instrument | Last | Change | Basis | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAX 40 (via EWG ETF) | $41.43 | +0.95% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| FTSE 100 (via EWU ETF) | $47.76 | +0.89% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Nikkei 225 (via EWJ ETF) | $95.43 | +0.46% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
Crypto
Crypto moved higher on a rolling 24-hour basis. Bitcoin was $82,634.00 (rose 0.88% over 24 hours) and Ether was $2,438.90 (rose 1.45% over 24 hours). Solana was $105.64 (rose 0.85% over 24 hours) and XRP was $1.3300 (rose 2.29% over 24 hours); five-session changes were mixed across the set.
| Instrument | Last | Change | Basis | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | $82,634.00 | +0.88% | 24h | Oct 21, 05:44 UTC | CoinGecko |
| Ether | $2,438.90 | +1.45% | 24h | Oct 21, 05:44 UTC | CoinGecko |
| Solana | $105.64 | +0.85% | 24h | Oct 21, 05:44 UTC | CoinGecko |
| XRP | $1.3300 | +2.29% | 24h | Oct 21, 05:44 UTC | CoinGecko |
FX, commodities and rates
FX reference rates are shown versus the prior ECB fixing: EUR/USD was 1.1215 (fell 0.09%), USD/JPY was 158.13 (fell 0.07%), GBP/USD was 1.3347 (rose 0.12%), USD/CHF was 0.8236 (fell 0.17%) and AUD/USD was 0.6985 (was little changed); these FX moves are from the prior ECB fixing as of Oct 20, 14:00 UTC. Commodities and dollar proxies at the prior close included the UUP ETF (tracks US Dollar Index) $28.90 (fell 0.34%), the GLD ETF (tracks Gold) $377.65 (fell 0.54%) and the USO ETF (tracks WTI Crude Oil) $160.61 (fell 0.12%); those moves are from the prior close. US Treasury yields were 4.77% for the 2-year (daily change +3 bp) and 5.15% for the 10-year (daily change +6 bp), observed on Mon Oct 19; the Fed broad trade-weighted dollar index was 121.40, observed on Fri Oct 16.
| Instrument | Last | Change | Basis | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 1.1215 | -0.09% | vs prior fix | Oct 20, 14:00 UTC | European Central Bank (euro reference rates) |
| USD/JPY | 158.13 | -0.07% | vs prior fix | Oct 20, 14:00 UTC | European Central Bank (euro reference rates) |
| GBP/USD | 1.3347 | +0.12% | vs prior fix | Oct 20, 14:00 UTC | European Central Bank (euro reference rates) |
| USD/CHF | 0.8236 | -0.17% | vs prior fix | Oct 20, 14:00 UTC | European Central Bank (euro reference rates) |
| AUD/USD | 0.6985 | -0.01% | vs prior fix | Oct 20, 14:00 UTC | European Central Bank (euro reference rates) |
| US Dollar Index (via UUP ETF) | $28.90 | -0.34% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Gold (via GLD ETF) | $377.65 | -0.54% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Silver (via SLV ETF) | $52.12 | +1.13% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| WTI Crude Oil (via USO ETF) | $160.61 | -0.12% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Brent Crude (via BNO ETF) | $66.87 | -0.37% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Natural Gas (via UNG ETF) | $10.50 | +0.38% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Copper (via CPER ETF) | $39.75 | +0.45% | vs prior close | Oct 20, 20:00 UTC | Finnhub |
| Series | Latest | Daily change | Observation date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 2-year Treasury yield | 4.77% | +3 bp | 2026-10-19 | U.S. Treasury via FRED |
| US 10-year Treasury yield | 5.15% | +6 bp | 2026-10-19 | U.S. Treasury via FRED |
| Fed broad trade-weighted dollar index | 121.40 | -0.14% | 2026-10-16 | Federal Reserve Board via FRED |
Top catalysts ahead
Ten events are listed on the near-term calendar. On Wed Oct 21 before the open ELV Q3 2026 earnings and T Q3 2026 earnings are scheduled, and after the close META Q3 2026 earnings and TSLA Q3 2026 earnings are scheduled; additional earnings and macro releases are due through Fri Oct 23.
- Wed Oct 21 (before the open) — ELV Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 4.73
- Wed Oct 21 (before the open) — T Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 0.61
- Wed Oct 21 (after the close) — META Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 6.00
- Wed Oct 21 (after the close) — TSLA Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 0.44
- Thu Oct 22 (before the open) — VLO Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 21.17
Three stories to watch
The European Central Bank published 'Philip R. Lane: Euro liquidity lines and the international monetary system', attributed to the European Central Bank. SEC EDGAR posted 'JPMorgan Chase files Form 8-K: Other Events', attributed to SEC EDGAR. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued a press release titled 'SEC and AMF Announce Supervisory MOU To Enhance Cooperation for Investment Advisers and Investment Service Providers', attributed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Philip R. Lane: Euro liquidity lines and the international monetary system — European Central Bank, Oct 21, 04:15 UTC
- JPMorgan Chase files Form 8-K: Other Events — SEC EDGAR, Oct 21, 00:15 UTC
- SEC and AMF Announce Supervisory MOU To Enhance Cooperation for Investment Advisers and Investment Service Providers — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Oct 20, 13:25 UTC
What matters next
Early US earnings will be in focus: ELV Q3 2026 earnings and T Q3 2026 earnings are due before the open on Wed Oct 21, while META Q3 2026 earnings and TSLA Q3 2026 earnings are scheduled after the close. Looking further ahead, the FOMC rate decision is scheduled for Wed Oct 28 at 18:00 UTC and the ECB monetary policy decision is scheduled for Thu Oct 29 at 13:15 UTC.
- Next central-bank decision: Wed Oct 28, 18:00 UTC — FOMC rate decision (US) (source)
- Next high-impact data: Thu Oct 29 (time not confirmed) — Personal income and outlays / PCE (BEA) (US) (source)
- Next major earnings: Wed Oct 21 (before the open) — ELV Q3 2026 earnings · EPS estimate 4.73
Sources and data
- Finnhub (market data) — market data
- CoinGecko (market data) — market data
- European Central Bank (euro reference rates) (primary source) — market data
- U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve Board via FRED (primary source) — Yields and dollar index
- U.S. Energy Information Administration via FRED (primary source) — calendar
- Federal Reserve (primary source) — calendar
- Bank of England (primary source) — calendar
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (primary source) — calendar
- European Central Bank (primary source) — Philip R. Lane: Euro liquidity lines and the international monetary system
- SEC EDGAR (primary source) — JPMorgan Chase files Form 8-K: Other Events
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (primary source) — SEC and AMF Announce Supervisory MOU To Enhance Cooperation for Investment Advisers and Investment Service Providers
- CoinDesk (secondary source) — Solana’s Alpenglow, its biggest network overhaul since 2020, goes live Wednesday
Market data as of Oct 21, 05:44 UTC; report generated Oct 21, 06:01 UTC. All times are UTC. Each table row shows its own timestamp and provider.
This report was produced by the MarketAlleys Research Desk using automated data processing and language tools from the sources listed above, and checked against our automated-content validation rules. It is for information only and is not investment advice.
Terms in this article
Exchange-traded fund (ETF)
A fund that trades on a stock exchange like a share, usually tracking an index, sector, commodity or strategy.
Treasury yield
The return investors earn on US government debt, which moves inversely to bond prices.
S&P 500
A float-adjusted, market-cap-weighted index of about 500 leading US companies selected by a committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Price-to-earnings ratio (P/E)
Share price divided by earnings per share.
Gold (XAU)
A precious metal held as a store of value, a hedge against currency debasement and a safe haven, as well as used in jewellery and industry.
Sources & data
- Finnhub (market-data, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- CoinGecko (market-data, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- European Central Bank (euro reference rates) (primary, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve Board via FRED (primary, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration via FRED (primary, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- Federal Reserve (primary, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- Bank of England (primary, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (primary, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- European Central Bank (primary, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- SEC EDGAR (primary, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (primary, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
- CoinDesk (secondary, retrieved Oct 21, 2026, 06:02 AM UTC)
Market data as of Oct 21, 2026, 05:44 AM UTC.
This report was produced by the MarketAlleys Research Desk using automated data processing and language tools, built only from the cited sources and validated by rules described in our methodology. Spot an error? Request a correction.
Ask about this story
Questions are answered only from this article and the sources it cites.
MarketAlleys provides news and analysis for information only; it is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Markets involve risk. Risk disclaimer.
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