Russell 2000 falls 0.1 percent as oil rises
Published on 10/22/2026 at 18:51 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSClaims and oil set the tone
- Russell 2000 stood at 2,778 points at 12:10 p.m. ET on October 22, down 3 points or 0.1 percent.
- Oil prices rose 2 percent as initial jobless claims fell to 194,000 versus 200,000 expected.
- The index opened at 2,771 points before recovering toward 2,778 points.
- Flash purchasing managers' indexes are due October 23, 2026, at 9:45 a.m. ET.
The Russell 2000 stood at 2,778 points at 12:10 p.m. ET on October 22, down 3 points or 0.1 percent. Oil prices rose 2 percent as traders assessed regional tensions and fresh labor data.
Initial jobless claims fell to 194,000 for the week ended October 17, below the 200,000 estimate, while continuing claims rose to 1.728 million, TheStreet reported. The Russell 2000 opened at 2,771 points before recovering toward its midday level.
Why is the Russell 2000 lower today?
The index traded lower as oil prices climbed 2 percent, adding to inflation concerns across financial markets. The small-cap benchmark also lagged the prior session's 0.3 percent gain, when it closed at 2,781 points.
Jobless claims provided a mixed signal. New claims were below expectations, but continuing claims increased to 1.728 million. Those figures came alongside losses in US equity futures before the open, Yahoo Finance reported.
Russell 2000 course through midday
The benchmark's 12:10 p.m. ET level was 3 points below the October 21 close of 2,781 points. A midday market update from Barrons placed the index at 2,778 points, down 0.1 percent.
What comes next for the Russell 2000
- October 23, 2026, 9:45 a.m. ET: Flash manufacturing and services purchasing managers' indexes, with forecasts of 55.3 and 58.1, SPX Plays lists.
- October 23, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ET: Final Michigan consumer sentiment, forecast at 46.3 versus 48.1 previously, Marketscreener shows.
Russell 2000 price data for October 22, 2026
The Russell 2000 was at 2,778 points at 12:10 p.m. ET on October 22, down 3 points or 0.1 percent from the October 21 close of 2,781 points, Barrons reported.
Russell 2000 by the numbers on October 22, 2026
- Index: Russell 2000
- Home exchange: NYSE and Nasdaq, United States
- Level at 12:10 p.m. ET on October 22, 2026: 2,778 points
- Change versus previous close of October 21, 2026: down 3 points (down 0.1 percent)
- Previous close: 2,781 points
- Next scheduled event: October 23, 2026, 9:45 a.m. ET: Flash manufacturing and services purchasing managers' indexes
