Russell 2000 heads into Wednesday after housing miss, 1.7 percent gain
Published on 10/21/2026 at 13:13 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSHousing and rates
- Russell 2000 ended October 20 at 2,773 points, up 45 points or 1.7 percent.
- September housing starts fell to 1.221 million versus a 1.305 million consensus.
- Russell 2000 futures were flat at 4:00 a.m. ET before Wednesday's open.
- EIA crude inventories are due October 21 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
The Russell 2000 closed at 2,773 points on October 20, 2026, up 45 points or 1.7 percent, according to The Associated Press. September housing starts fell 5.2 percent to 1.221 million, below the 1.305 million consensus, Reuters reported.
Russell 2000 futures were flat at 4:00 a.m. ET on October 21, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.2 percent, Yahoo Finance said. The index therefore heads into Wednesday after a broad small-cap rebound, with no new cash-session level yet established.
Why did housing move the Russell 2000?
Housing starts declined for a third straight month. The result missed expectations and highlighted pressure from mortgage rates above 7 percent. Weak construction data appeared alongside a 7.3 percent drop in pending home sales to a record low, Investing.com reported.
Rates and oil shape Wednesday cues
Before the open, the US 10-year Treasury yield stood at 5.12 percent and Brent crude traded near USD 110 per barrel. European shares rose 0.4 percent, while the MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 1 percent, Bloomberg via Swissinfo reported.
What comes next for the Russell 2000
- October 21, 2026, 10:30 a.m. ET: EIA crude inventories are due, with the prior draw at 8.56 million barrels, Investing.com lists.
- October 21, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET: The US Treasury is scheduled to auction 20-year bonds.
- October 21, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET: The Federal Reserve is scheduled to release its Beige Book.
Russell 2000 price data for October 20, 2026
The Russell 2000 closed at 2,773 points on October 20, 2026, up 45 points or 1.7 percent versus the previous close, as The Associated Press reported. The previous close was 2,728 points.
Russell 2000 by the numbers on October 20, 2026
- Index: Russell 2000
- Home exchange: NYSE and Nasdaq, United States
- Close on October 20, 2026: 2,773 points
- Change versus previous close of October 19, 2026: up 45 points (up 1.7 percent)
- Previous close: 2,728 points
- Next scheduled event: October 21, 2026, 10:30 a.m. ET: EIA crude inventories
