The CBOE Volatility Index rose 5% to 16.96, indicating increased market uncertainty. Among the S&P 500 sectors, Materials led with a 3.4% gain, followed by Consumer Discretionary (+1.8%) and Industrials (+1.6%). Utilities and Telecom both rose by 1%, while Information Technology gained 1.1%. 

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On the downside, Healthcare fell by 1.1%, Financials dipped by 0.5%, and Energy lost 0.8%. Real Estate saw a modest decline of 0.2%, while Consumer Staples edged up 0.1%.

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U.S. natural gas futures jumped nearly 5% to $2.9 per MMBtu, reaching their highest level in three months, as Hurricane Helene impacted the Southeast. The storm forced Gulf of Mexico producers to cut output and left millions without power across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. 

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Natural gas prices are up 38% over the past month. Meanwhile, silver prices outpaces gold and the S&P 500 for the week. Silver has more industrial uses than gold.

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Uranium stocks also jumped last week, following a series of power deals and announcements as well as a commitment by the major banks to support development of nuclear power. The Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) rose 7% last week on the events.