Markets lost between Oct. 24 and Oct. 30 as investors remained apprehensive of market conditions following lackluster earnings results and economic data.

Markets gained on Tuesday due to strong earnings reported by the technology sector. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.6%, the S&P 500 added 0.7% and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.95%.

The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, in essence, serves as a fear gauge for equity markets. On Tuesday, the CBOE Volatility Index decreased 6.9% to $18.97.

The Utilities Select Sector, the Real Estate Select Sector and the Utilities Select Sector increased 2.6%, 1.3%, and 1.2%, respectively.

The three major indexes closed in the red on Wednesday as the 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note yield rose closer to 5.0%. The Dow declined 0.3%, the S&P 500 declined 1.4% and the technology-heavy Nasdaq declined 2.4%.

The 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note yield reached 4.949% on Wednesday. A rising yield signals that investors believe that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates at elevated levels for a longer than expected period of time.

The Communication Services Select Sector, the Real Estate Select Sector and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector lost 4.3%, 2.1%, and 2.0%, respectively.

The CBOE Volatility Index rose 6.4% to a value of $20.19.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced that new homes in September rose to 759,000 units sold. 

Markets fell on Thursday due to disappointing earnings from large market capitalization technology companies. The Dow decreased 0.8%, the S&P 500 decreased 1.2% and the Nasdaq decreased 1.8%.

The Communication Services Select Sector, the Technology Select Sector and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector declined 2.2%, 1.9% and 1.6%, respectively.

The CBOE Volatility Index increased 2.4% to $20.68.

On Thursday, the Department of Labor reported that jobless claims increased 10,000 to 210,000 for the week ending October 21.

The three major indexes closed mixed on Friday as investors digested a slew of economic data while considering the possibility of an elevated rate hike environment. The Dow lost 1.1%, the S&P 500 lost 0.5% and the Nasdaq gained 0.4%.

The Energy Select Sector, the Utilities Select Sector and the Financials Select Sector fell 2.4%, 1.9% and 1.8%, respectively.

By Monday’s close, the three major indexes ended in the green to close out a painful month for equities investors. The Dow added 1.58%, the S&P 500 added 1.20% and the Nasdaq added 1.16%.

The CBOE Volatility Index plummeted 7.15% to $19.75.

Investors should remain vigilant regarding comments from FOMC voting members on further rate hikes in 2023. As of writing, the bond market indicates the Fed will keep the funds rate elevated in the near term.