US stocks opened the week on a mostly positive note. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.8%, reaching a new intraday record of 21,868, fueled by tech sector strength and AI-related stocks.
The S&P 500 rose 0.4%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.2%, adding 67 points. Small caps underperformed slightly, with the Russell 2000 falling 0.3%, though it remained above key short-term moving averages.
Treasury yields continued to fall, with the 10-year yield dipping two basis points to 4.07%, supporting equities and signaling cautious optimism among investors.
Tech Stocks Drive Nasdaq Strength
The Nasdaq-100 led gains, supported by AI and semiconductor stocks.
Broadcom (AVGO) rose 4.5%, Lam Research (LRCX) +3%, and Nvidia (NVDA) +2%, reversing recent losses.
Other top performers included Meta (META +1.6%), Amazon (AMZN +0.8%), Microsoft (MSFT +0.6%), and Alphabet (GOOG +1%). On the downside, telecom companies T-Mobile (TMUS -5.6%) and MercadoLibre (MELI -3.9%) lagged, while Verizon (VZ -2%) and AT&T (T -3%) showed sector-specific pressure following spectrum sales and regulatory developments.ALSO READ: US Stock Market Top Gainers Today: Robinhood, AppLovin, Quantumscape lead Wall Street rally as Nasdaq, S&P hit record highs
Robinhood and AppLovin Lead Market Gains
Robinhood (HOOD) surged nearly 15%, rebounding above its 10-week moving average, after news of S&P 500 inclusion. The move underscores Robinhood’s transition from a meme stock platform to a credible fintech leader with growing crypto, options, and interest income.
AppLovin (APP) also climbed roughly 10%, with gains of about 69% year-to-date in 2025.
Both stocks will join the S&P 500 on Sept. 22, replacing Caesars Entertainment (CZR) and MarketAxess (MKTX). Emcor (EME) also joins, rising over 2%, replacing Enphase Energy (ENPH).
Dow Jones Movers
Among Dow components, UnitedHealth (UNH) +2%, Boeing (BA) +0.6%, Microsoft (MSFT) +0.6%, and Amazon (AMZN) +0.8% led gains.
Verizon (VZ) paced the laggards at -2%, showing the uneven performance of telecom stocks amid the EchoStar spectrum sale to SpaceX.
Tesla Stock Hits New Buy Point Amid Bullish Momentum
Tesla (TSLA) shares have risen above a significant technical level, reaching a new buy point at $355.39, signaling a potential breakout. The stock closed at $349.37, up 3.64% from the previous day, with an intraday high of $357.86.
Key Technical Indicators:
- 50-Day Moving Average: $340.74
- 200-Day Moving Average: $330.56
- Relative Strength Index (RSI): 63.5 (indicating bullish momentum)
- Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD): 3.32 (bullish crossover).
Oil, Energy, and Geopolitical Developments
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude traded near $62.15 per barrel, rising 1.5% after Russian strikes in Ukraine fueled expectations of further sanctions.
Energy infrastructure stock Emcor (EME) +2% outperformed, while solar company Enphase Energy (ENPH) -3% declined. These moves highlight the continued influence of geopolitical tensions on commodities and sector performance.
Federal Reserve Outlook and Inflation Focus
Investors are closely watching August CPI and PPI reports. Last week’s weak jobs report strengthened expectations for Fed rate cuts, with traders seeing roughly two-thirds probability rates end the year at 3.5%–3.75%.
Discussions are ongoing about the likelihood of a 50-basis-point “catch-up” cut versus smaller 25-basis-point adjustments. Fed policy decisions, paired with inflation trends, remain the key drivers for equity markets in the coming weeks.
Market Sentiment:
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq gains reflect optimism around passive fund inflows from index inclusion, tech-led growth, and AI-driven momentum. Robinhood and AppLovin’s S&P 500 entry may continue to attract institutional buying.
However, inflation data and Fed rate decisions could trigger short-term volatility. Energy, telecom, and geopolitical developments will also impact sector-specific performance.
Traders should monitor Treasury yields, CPI/PPI releases, and earnings updates from Adobe, Oracle, and Kroger for broader market cues.
FAQs:
Q1: Why did Robinhood stock surge today?
A: Robinhood stock surged over 14% as it prepared to join the S&P 500, boosting investor confidence.
Q2: How did the US stock market perform today?
A: Nasdaq and S&P 500 reached record highs, Dow remained flat, with tech and fintech stocks leading gains.