Germany Wholesale Price Index YoY (Aug) Act: 18.9% Prev: 19.5%

VLO surges 31% YTD on strong refining margins & EPS beats. Analysts see 20.5% upside.

Alliant Energy (LNT) up 16% 52-wk, beats XLU but lags SPX YTD. Q3 EPS missed, but 2026 guidance & 6% CAGR boost confidence.

Small biz optimism dips to 98.2 on weaker earnings & labor woes. Uncertainty high, but index above long-term avg.

Swiss watch stocks surge on tariff cut hopes; Swatch +4.2%, Richemont +2%. Exports fell 56% in Sept.

Shutdown ends, S&P 500 +1.5%, Nasdaq +2%. Goldman sees $14B output loss. Fed rate cut odds rise.

Rail freight shows mixed signals: Chemicals +1.8%, Steel +13.5%, but intermodal dips 3%. Economy's sawtooth grade persists.

9 states offer zero income tax; 38 states exempt Social Security. Retirees eye tax-friendly havens for higher net returns.