Market Turmoil: S&P 500 Faces Fourth Week of Losses and Worst Month of 2023

The S&P 500 is on track for its biggest monthly loss since December as most U.S. stocks traded lower on Friday. Investors are uncertain about whether the U.S. economy is heading towards a recession or a "soft landing" due to Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes to combat inflation. The S&P 500 is set to post a loss of 4.9% for September, marking its fourth consecutive weekly loss. The decline in services inflation and a cool-down in consumer spending are seen as positive signs by some analysts. Bond yields have put pressure on stocks, but the yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell on Friday.