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Health Care and Crude Led the Week While Tech Lost Its Grip

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NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — American News Group News Commentary – The State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust slipped 0.28% and the Invesco QQQ Trust fell 2.62% over the five trading sessions ended Thursday, October 15, according to Stock Analysis data, as a hotter-than-expected inflation report revived concerns about interest rates and technology stocks sold off. Among U.S.-listed exchange-traded funds with at least $1 billion in assets, excluding leveraged and inverse products, the week’s leaders came from health care, crude oil and a concentrated, actively managed stock portfolio. Active Funds from around the markets with current developments this week include: Akre Focus ETF (NYSE Arca: AKRE), iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (NYSE Arca: IHF), United States Oil Fund, LP (NYSE Arca: USO), iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (NYSE Arca: IHI), State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSE Arca: XLV).

The turn came on Wednesday. The September consumer price index showed annual inflation of 3.7%, above the 3.6% economists expected, and core inflation of 2.6%, against expectations of 2.5%, TheStreet reported. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 5.278%, the S&P 500 fell 1.11% and the Nasdaq dropped 1.88%. Information technology was the worst S&P 500 sector that day, down 3.00%, while health care led with a gain of 2.44% and consumer staples rose 2.21%.

Stocks steadied on Thursday as yields eased. The 10-year yield fell 10.5 basis points to 5.085%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.08% and the S&P 500 added 0.33%, with the Dow’s gains led by consumer, health care and financial stocks.

Health care was the clear theme of the screen. Eight of the 15 best-performing funds on the list, which ranks returns from the October 8 close to the October 15 close, were health care ETFs. The five funds below are the week’s top performers on that basis.

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The top-performing ETFs of the week include:

1. Akre Focus ETF (NYSE Arca: AKRE): up 6.72%

The actively managed Akre Focus ETF rose from $54.02 to $57.65 over the five sessions. The fund launched as an ETF on October 27, 2025 through the conversion of the Akre Focus Fund, carries a 0.98% expense ratio and holds about $4.69 billion in assets.

Its largest holdings include Mastercard, Constellation Software, Visa, Topicus.com, Roper Technologies and Moody’s, according to Stock Analysis. Based on Stock Analysis closing prices, Mastercard gained 7.23%, Visa 6.57% and Moody’s 5.45% over the same period.

2. iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (NYSE Arca: IHF): up 6.69%

The iShares fund, which holds health insurers and care providers, rose from $55.79 to $59.52. Its largest holding, UnitedHealth Group, reported third quarter revenues of $112.7 billion and adjusted earnings of $4.69 per share on October 13, and raised its 2026 outlook to adjusted earnings of at least $20.50 per share.

Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hemsley said the results “reflect the discipline and execution our teams are bringing to every part of our business.” Based on Stock Analysis closing prices, UnitedHealth shares gained 9.63% over the five sessions, Humana 11.64% and Elevance Health 6.86%.

3. United States Oil Fund, LP (NYSE Arca: USO): up 6.59%

The United States Oil Fund, which tracks front-month light sweet crude oil futures, rose from $147.58 to $157.31 and holds about $1.80 billion in assets. Fuel markets stayed tight: the International Energy Agency said in its October Oil Market Report, released on October 14, that global onshore inventories are hovering at their lowest levels since at least 2016 and that diesel markets remained under significant strain.

The IEA put Brent futures at around $107 a barrel at the time of writing. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark USO tracks, traded at $95.21 early on October 15, according to TheStreet.

4. iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (NYSE Arca: IHI): up 5.70%

The medical devices fund rose from $51.10 to $54.01 and holds about $3.64 billion in assets. Its top holdings include Abbott Laboratories, Intuitive Surgical and Medtronic, according to Stock Analysis.

Based on Stock Analysis closing prices, Medtronic gained 8.77% over the five sessions, Abbott 6.28% and Intuitive Surgical 3.00%.

5. State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSE Arca: XLV): up 5.37%

The largest fund on the list, with about $43.77 billion in assets, the State Street health care sector fund rose from $168.16 to $177.19. It tracks the health care stocks in the S&P 500, with top holdings including Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Merck and UnitedHealth Group, according to Stock Analysis.

Health care was the best-performing S&P 500 sector on October 14, the day the inflation report sent technology stocks lower.

Want to see the next rotation as it forms? The Roadmap from Stock Preachers breaks down the sectors, funds and charts driving the market three times a week, with a week-ahead edition on Monday, the mid-week movers on Wednesday and a full recap on Friday. Read it free at stockpreachers.com.

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DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is not a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances.

This article is independent news commentary. American News Group is wholly owned and operated by Market Equities Limited (“MEL”), a company incorporated under the laws of Ireland. MEL has not been paid by any fund sponsor or company mentioned in this article. MEL and its owners, operators, directors, and affiliates do not currently own any shares of the funds or companies mentioned in this article, but reserve the right to, and will, buy and sell shares of those funds and companies at any time without further notice. Fund returns are price changes from the October 8, 2026 close to the October 15, 2026 close based on Stock Analysis data and do not include distributions; past performance does not guarantee future results. Information is drawn from fund sponsors, company releases, agency reports and third-party data believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Investing in securities carries risk, including the loss of some or all of your investment. This document is governed by the laws of Ireland.

 

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The National Association of Mortgage Brokers Announces its Launch of MORE, New Mortgage Education and Professional Development Platform

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NAMB MORE brings training, credentials, professional development and daily mortgage market information together in one place

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) the first and only national volunteer-led and membership-driven organization representing the interests of mortgage brokers and home buyers since 1973, today announced the launch of NAMB MORE(Mortgage Originator Resources and Education), a new learning and professional development platform designed to give mortgage professionals the education, resources and information they need to grow throughout their careers.

MORE officially launches today during NAMB National 2026, being held October 16–19 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The platform is designed as a long-term resource for mortgage professionals at every career stage, bringing training, credentials, professional development and timely industry information together in one place.

Mortgage professionals can learn more and access the platform at nambhasmore.org. Access to MORE will be free through NAMB Focus, January 7–9, 2027. Users must have a NAMB member profile to access the learning management system.

“NAMB MORE represents a significant investment in the future of mortgage professionals and the continued advancement of our industry,” said Michael Farrell, President of NAMB. “We wanted to create more than a collection of courses; we wanted to build a resource that professionals can turn to throughout their careers. NAMB MORE delivers valuable education, professional development and practical information members can apply to their businesses daily. ‘NAMB has MORE’ is a mantra the entire organization embraces, reflecting our commitment to providing the industry with innovative tools that support professional growth, strengthen advocacy and help foster our members’ success. “MORE was developed with the mortgage industry in mind, with NAMB and subject-matter experts contributing to the platform’s educational content.”

The platform is designed to support mortgage professionals from their first year in the business through experienced production, management and leadership roles. Educational resources span foundational mortgage knowledge, loan origination, mortgage programs and products, business growth, sales and marketing, borrower experience, professional development and more.

The MORE course library includes content across core categories such as:

Business Strategy & GrowthLoan OriginationMortgage FoundationsMortgage Programs & ProductsProfessional Development & Workplace SkillsSales, Marketing & Borrower ExperienceGeneral

Additional learning resources and credentials are designed to help mortgage professionals continue developing their skills as their careers evolve.

A key component of the new platform is the MORE Daily Dashboard, which serves as the home screen members see when they log into MORE. Rather than requiring members to visit the platform only when completing a course or pursuing a credential, the Daily Dashboard is designed to give mortgage professionals a reason to return every day.

The Daily Dashboard currently features:

Mortgage Rate Alert Widget: Provides information about the factors affecting mortgage rates and refreshes at least hourly.Upcoming Events: Highlights NAMB events and opportunities so members can stay connected to the association and industry.Daily Access to MORE: Provides a central starting point for accessing education, professional development and other resources.

“The Daily Dashboard is an important part of what makes MORE different,” added Farrell. “We want MORE to become part of a mortgage professional’s daily routine. Whether someone is checking the latest rate information, looking for an upcoming NAMB event or continuing their professional education, MORE puts useful resources in one place.”

About NAMB: The National Association of Mortgage Brokers has been the only national volunteer-led and membership-driven organization representing the interests of mortgage professionals and homebuyers since 1973. NAMB provides mortgage professionals with advocacy, education, and rigorous certification programs to recognize members with the highest levels of professional knowledge and education. NAMB’s active lobbying and advocacy efforts focus on national and state issues, protecting the interests of its members and borrowers. As the leading national trade association for the mortgage industry, NAMB is affiliated with state associations throughout the country and represents the interests of more than 546,800 licensed and registered Mortgage Loan Originators and 49,100 licensed Mortgage Broker and Mortgage Lender businesses throughout the U.S. www.namb.org

Media Contact

Joshua Steinfeld, Steinfeld Consulting, 1 339-225-1581, steinfeldconsulting@gmail.com

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SOURCE The National Association of Mortgage Brokers

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The United States Golf Association Selects Gupta Media as Paid Media Agency of Record

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The appointment comes as the USGA looks to continue to strengthen brand equity and increase awareness and engagement with golfers nationwide

BOSTON, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The USGA, the non-profit governing body of golf in the United States, has named Gupta Media its paid media agency of record following a competitive pitch process that began in February. Gupta Media will lead paid media strategy, planning, buying and reporting in support of the USGA’s Championship ticketing and broader commercial initiatives, while helping grow brand equity, awareness and engagement across the organization. Its work will span key USGA priorities, including golf’s official Handicap Index® and GHIN app; the Rules of Golf and the USGA’s governance of the game; Membership; and initiatives that advance golf through sustainability, research and innovation, and greater access and inclusion. The relationship expands beyond media execution to include audience strategy, first-party data integration, measurement and optimization.

“Gupta Media stood out for its ability to connect the dots between data, audience strategy, media and creative to real business outcomes, so we’re incredibly excited for this next chapter.”

The relationship comes at an important moment for the USGA, with the organization focused on continuing to expand its reach and deepening brand affinity across the ever-growing, diverse golf community. Gupta Media will help drive ticket sales for some of the sport’s biggest events, including the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, the 2027 U.S. Women’s Open at Inverness Club, the 2028 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club and the 2028 U.S. Women’s Open at Oakmont Country Club. The agency will also support the USGA in creating greater awareness and brand recognition for its corporate Partners through co-branded content and paid media.

Golf has an enormous network of people who love the game, creating a growing opportunity to build a deeper, more direct relationship between golfers and the organization. That challenge is exactly what Gupta Media is built to strategically address — from growing membership and promoting ticket sales for major live events to reaching new audiences and understanding customer lifetime value. By bringing together audience insights, first-party data and media performance, Gupta Media will help the USGA create more relevant, effective marketing that drives measurable business results while strengthening its connection with the next generation of golfers.

“We were looking for an agency that could bring a deep understanding of our audiences, a genuine enthusiasm for our mission and the strategic expertise to work with us through this next phase of golf’s growth,” said Lynn LaRocca, USGA’s Managing Director of Brand & Marketing. “Gupta Media stood out for its ability to connect the dots between data, audience strategy, media and creative to real business outcomes, so we’re incredibly excited for this next chapter.”

“There’s a personal element to this partnership that makes it especially rewarding. My golf journey began 30 years ago when I first visited Pebble Beach as a teenager, long before I could imagine actually playing on the course,” said Gogi Gupta, Founder, Gupta Media. “To now have the opportunity to connect that lifelong passion for the game with the work we’ve spent years building and fine-tuning our agency to do feels like kismet. We’re eager to bring our proficiency to an organization that plays a leading role in the great game.”

The relationship brings together Gupta Media’s deep experience in sports marketing with its data-driven approach to audience strategy, media and creative. The agency has developed a specialized set of tools and processes to address data and analytics challenges of sports and live events, including TallyTickets.com, its proprietary ticketing analytics platform that helps teams understand sales trends, forecast demand and make more informed marketing and media decisions. Gupta Media’s experience spans sports, entertainment, premium events, and pop culture, giving the agency a comprehensive understanding of the audience models and fan behaviors that shape the industry.

About the USGA:

The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability.

About Gupta Media:

Gupta Media, a certified Minority Business Enterprise, is a strategic consultancy at the intersection of creative strategy, digital media, advanced analytics, and performance marketing. We drive growth for professional sports franchises, global tech leaders, DTC brands, major music labels, and other high-profile organizations by building intelligent media plans, best-in-class reporting tools, and custom enterprise technology. Founded 25 years ago by Cornell grad Gogi Gupta, the agency is known for developing new methods of maximizing advertising efficiency in a digital-first world. Harvard Business School’s case study on Gupta Media was taught to all incoming students for three years and is still taught around the globe.

Media Contact

Carly Carioli, Gupta Media, 1 617-682-3733, ccarioli@guptamedia.com, guptamedia.com

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SOURCE Gupta Media

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China Mobile Hong Kong Establishes Hong Kong’s First U6G Network

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Expanding Next-Generation Network Capabilities and Accelerating the Innovative Convergence of Communication, Computing, and AI Laying a Solid Foundation for 6G Development in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (“China Mobile Hong Kong”) announced that it has taken the lead in realising a U6GHz network, successfully completing network testing and validation at its Mong Kok flagship store and advancing the exploration of Upper 6GHz band applications in mobile networks. Implementing China Mobile Group’s strategy of “strengthening the network foundation and full-stack innovation”, China Mobile Hong Kong aims to enhance network capabilities through new frequency band applications, drive collaborative innovation between terminals and the wider industry, and lay a robust foundation for Hong Kong’s future 6G development.

Strategic Early Deployment of New Spectrum to Build Momentum for a 6G Future
U6GHz, or the Upper 6GHz band, can provide continuous wide bandwidth and is a crucial spectrum resource supporting 5G-A and future 6G evolution. On 29 November 2024, Hong Kong completed its 6/7GHz spectrum auction, becoming the first region globally to auction this frequency band for public mobile services. China Mobile Hong Kong successfully bid for 100MHz of continuous spectrum and has made appropriate forward-looking deployments, advancing network capability validation and terminal adaptation to accumulate experience for future 6G commercialisation.

Expanding Network Capacity to Enable Smoother Smart Applications
The newly added U6GHz spectrum can be utilised synergistically with existing frequency bands. Through various combinations with current spectrums, it can achieve download speeds of 3Gbps. The increased availability of spectrum helps enhance data transmission capabilities, accommodating more simultaneous user connections, improving the internet experience in highly congested areas, and supporting high-definition video and large-capacity data transmission.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into production and daily life, the demand for data transmission from devices such as smart glasses and AI robots continues to rise. China Mobile Hong Kong will promote the synergistic development of U6GHz and intelligent computing services, enhance connectivity between terminals and intelligent computing platforms, and explore AI image analysis, immersive interactions, and industrial applications. This will allow smart services to better integrate into everyday life and corporate operations.

Aligning with Mainland China and Hong Kong Blueprints to Consolidate the Foundation of Digital-Intelligent Development
China Mobile Hong Kong will actively align with the Nation’s “15th Five-Year Plan” and Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan. Focusing on “AI+”, computing infrastructure, and new industrialisation, the company will enhance communication and smart services through network upgrades to assist Hong Kong in building an international innovation and technology centre. Concurrently, China Mobile Hong Kong will collaborate with industry partners to accelerate the research, development, and testing of U6GHz products. By expanding hotspot coverage according to demand, it aims to drive the maturity of the industrial ecosystem and accelerate Hong Kong’s 6G development. Looking ahead, China Mobile Hong Kong will continue to leverage its strengths as a central state-owned enterprise, providing high-quality digital infrastructure to serve Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, thereby fully contributing to the building of a cyber superpower and a digital China.

About China Mobile Hong Kong Limited
China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (“China Mobile Hong Kong”) is the wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile Limited (HKEx: 941), which is listed on the Fortune Global 500. China Mobile Hong Kong was incepted in January 1997 and was the first mobile network operator to launch PCS services in Hong Kong.

As the world’s leading mobile network brand with the largest customer base*, The Company offers innovative and comprehensive 5G communications services, including voice, data, IDD and international roaming. The Company is committed to the development of 5G with new technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, cloud computing and big data, integrating 5G applications in different industries, promoting the construction and development of smart city groups in Greater Bay Area.

* China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile Limited. As of 31 December 2025, China Mobile Limited had the largest number of mobile network subscribers in the world.

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SOURCE China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited

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