Among companies with a market capitalization of at least $10 billion, AST SpaceMobile, Inc. recorded the strongest growth last week. The shares of this satellite mobile communications technology development company soared 38.03% in a week, reaching $67.76 per share. It was followed by Sandisk Corporation, a data storage and memory device manufacturer, with a 32.22% gain—to $128.41 per share, while Rigetti Computing, Inc., active in the quantum computing sector, rounded out this top three, with a 28.48% rise—to $40.06 per share.

On the other side, last week’s top-three biggest losers among large-cap companies were led by sports betting platform DraftKings Inc., whose shares fell 16.42% in on week to $35.37 per share. Next, the shares of DocuSign, Inc., an e-signature service provider, dropped 14.46%—to $69.73 per share. And this trio is rounded out by social media company Reddit, Inc. whose shares fell 13.71%—to $207.20 per share.

US stock markets mostly closed last week primarily with an increase. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 hit new record highs, while the Nasdaq edged slightly lower due to declines in tech stocks. Over the week, the Dow rose about 1.2%, the S&P 500 gained around 0.7%, while the Nasdaq slipped 0.4%. Investors anticipate that the US Federal Reserve will soon cut refinancing interest rates again as the country’s economy is showing signs of decline, and government remains in a shutdown.

The US dollar ended the week down, posting its largest losses in the past several months as growing concerns over a prolonged US government shutdown have weighed on confidence in the country’s economy. The US Dollar Index fell 0.1% to 97.69, while the euro rose 0.2%. Bitcoin climbed 2%, hitting a new record above $122,000.

Gold prices rose 3%, marking their seventh consecutive week of gains as investors seek safe-haven assets amid the ongoing US government shutdown. Analysts note that the longer this shutdown continues, the stronger gold’s position will become. UBS forecasts that gold prices could reach up to $4,200 in the coming months.

European stock markets had their best week since April, driven mainly by gains in health care, banking, and mining shares amid growing optimism about a potential refinancing interest rate cut in the US. The STOXX 600 index rose 2.8% during the week. Growth in the eurozone services sector also supported this market rally.

Shares of US-based Rare Earth, a rare-earth mining company, surged more than 18% to a record high after its CEO announced active negotiations with the White House over potential cooperation. The company is currently benefiting significantly from US policies aimed at reducing dependence on China for rare-earth materials used in high-tech industries.

Last week, global stock funds recorded their largest capital inflow in 11 months, with $49.2 billion entering. Bond funds saw inflows for the 24th consecutive week, while money market funds attracted $8.84 billion, their first inflow in three weeks.

Armenia’s stock market on Monday issued 5 billion drams worth of government bonds, maturing on October 5, 2026. The public auction had three participants, with total bids reaching 15.3 billion drams. The average weighted price of the placed bonds was 92.4269 drams, with a yield of 8.1259 percent.

The US government shutdown has delayed the release of the country’s monthly labor market report, too, leaving Wall Street this week without key economic data that typically provides investors with vital insights into the economy and Federal Reserve policy. Analysts believe that the prolonged absence of such data could make markets more volatile and risky.

Meanwhile, US consumer confidence fell more than expected in September. The Consumer confidence index dropped 3.6 points to 94.2, below the forecasted 96.0.

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