Nasdaq Hits Record High, Driven by Chip Stocks
Semiconductor stocks were among the session’s top performers, with NVIDIA up 0.7% and Broadcom jumping 3.2%.
Quick overview
- U.S. equities began the week positively, with the Nasdaq Composite reaching a new all-time high driven by tech stocks, especially chipmakers.
- The Dow Jones and S&P 500 also saw gains, while optimism grows for a potential Federal Reserve rate cut.
- European and Asian markets posted gains, with notable performances from Germany's DAX and Japan's Nikkei 225.
- This week, attention turns to U.S. inflation data, with expectations of an increase in the consumer price index.
U.S. equities started the week on a positive note, with the Nasdaq Composite leading gains and closing at a fresh all-time high on Monday, September 8. Tech stocks—particularly chipmakers—drove the rally, as investors looked ahead to key U.S. inflation data due later this week.
Optimism is building that the Federal Reserve may finally deliver its first rate cut of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3% to 45,514.95 points, the S&P 500 gained 0.2% to 6,496.06, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.5% to 21,798.70.
In Europe, the pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 gained 0.8%, Germany’s DAX climbed 1%, and France’s CAC 40 rose 0.8%. Outside the eurozone, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 edged up 0.1%. Asian markets also posted gains: Shanghai’s Composite rose 0.4%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng 0.95%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 1.6%.
Chip Stocks Drive Gains
Semiconductor stocks were among the session’s top performers, with NVIDIA up 0.7% and Broadcom jumping 3.2%. Broadcom extended last week’s gains after posting strong quarterly earnings and issuing bullish guidance tied to AI demand.
Not all companies joined the rally: shares of New Fortress Energy plunged 42.8% after the LNG infrastructure company announced it had begun reviewing strategic alternatives to address mounting financial challenges. The company reported a net loss of $557 million in Q2 2025, compared with a $197.4 million loss the prior quarter.
Elsewhere, loanDepot surged 31.6%, extending last week’s rally after Citron Research released a bullish report highlighting the mortgage lender’s undervalued servicing business. UnitedHealth Group advanced 1.6% after reaffirming its 2025 profit outlook during scheduled investor meetings.
All Eyes on August Inflation
This week’s focus will be U.S. inflation. Thursday’s consumer price index (CPI) release is expected to show annual price growth accelerating to 2.9% in August, up from 2.7% in July. Analysts note that recently implemented Trump tariffs, which went into effect last month, may have contributed to upward price pressure as costs were absorbed by U.S. importers.
Producer price index (PPI) data will also be released this week. While the inflation figures are unlikely to alter the Fed’s September rate decision, they could influence the central bank’s stance on the pace of future easing.
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