Dow Jones and Nasdaq Composite: US Indices Hold Gains as Tech Stocks Lead Into the Close

Nasdaq aims for record close as AI stocks surge; Dow and S&P steady into late trade

U.S. stocks were mixed late Thursday as traders monitored a second day of the government shutdown while AI momentum kept powering the Nasdaq higher.

The tech-heavy index pushed toward another record on Nvidia-led strength, while the S&P 500 hovered near flat after touching fresh highs earlier in the session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average held modest gains as industrial and healthcare names carried the price-weighted index.

Dow Jones Can industrials sustain the bid into the close

The Dow traded about 117 points, or 0.3%, higher with Caterpillar up 2.0% and 3M up 1.69%, together lifting the index by roughly 72 points.

UnitedHealth added 1.65%, Boeing 1.33%, and Salesforce 1.49%, extending support from services and healthcare heavyweights.

Dragging on the index, JPMorgan slipped nearly 1%, Chevron fell 0.5%, and Coca-Cola declined 1.11%. Apple and Nike were modestly higher, while Microsoft and Goldman Sachs edged lower.

With each $1 move in a Dow component equaling a 6.15-point swing, CAT’s $9.63 gain remained the key driver late in the session.

S&P 500 Will record strength hold into the close

The S&P 500 hovered near unchanged after reaching a new intraday high earlier, extending its record-setting streak.

Technology and Materials outperformed with gains of 0.63% and 0.94%, while Energy and Consumer Discretionary lagged.

Fair Isaac spiked over 21% after unveiling a new FICO system, while Coinbase rallied 7.6% and AMD gained 3.5%.

On the downside, Equifax fell nearly 8%, Occidental slid more than 7% after a petrochemicals deal, and Tesla dropped about 4%.

Traders weighed the lack of fresh data due to the government shutdown, with Fed expectations shifting toward a possible October rate cut.

Nasdaq Can AI leadership drive another record close

The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.4% late in the session and pressed toward a record close.

Nvidia led with a 0.84% gain, while semis saw broad strength—ASML up 2.9%, AMD 3.53%, and Lam Research 2.64%.

Software names were mixed: Adobe gained 1.85% and Palo Alto added 0.69%, while CrowdStrike slipped 0.53%. Mega-cap internet names supported the bid, with Meta up 1.19% and Amazon up 0.6%. Tesla remained a drag, down nearly 4%, while AppLovin fell more than 3%.

Market outlook What are traders watching into the close

Momentum remains intact heading into the bell, though traders are alert to risks from the shutdown and the absence of key economic data.

The S&P 500 has now run more than 100 sessions without a 5% pullback, well above average, raising positioning concerns if profit-taking emerges. Into tomorrow, traders will watch for shutdown updates, Treasury market reaction, and any Fed commentary.

As long as semis and AI-linked names hold leadership, risk appetite remains firm, but extended positioning makes the tape vulnerable to negative headlines.

More Information in our Economic Calendar.