📉 Despite companies reporting strong earnings beats in Q3, the stock market is facing headwinds, with all major indexes closing lower. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's reaffirmation of the "higher for longer" stance contributed to a notable shift in market sentiment. The ongoing surge in bond yields has been a dominant force, overshadowing positive earnings news. While some individual beats are rewarded, the overall market is grappling with macro uncertainties, including rising geopolitical tensions and political indecision. 📊 Evercore ISI's Julian Emanuel suggests a tilt toward defensive strategies as a prudent move amid current market dynamics. Despite potential benefits from micro-level themes like artificial intelligence, the CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX) hovering near six-month highs indicates macro factors are driving market volatility. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/even-strong-earnings-might-not-be-able-to-save-stocks-093000833.html