Equity markets fell for the second consecutive month in September, causing all three major U.S. indices to end the month and quarter in the red. The S&P 500 lost 4.77 percent during the month, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 3.42 percent. The Nasdaq Composite saw the largest declines, with the technology-heavy index dropping 5.77 percent. Rising long-term rates and concerns surrounding a potential government shutdown at month-end weighed on equities.