Stocks Edge Higher as Pharma Tariff Watch and Tesla AI Hopes Share the Stage

U.S. stocks opened higher Friday, with the Dow up 297.59 points (0.65%) to 46,244.9, the S&P 500 rising 30.13 (0.46%) to 6,634.85, and the Nasdaq gaining 57.04 (0.25%) to 22,441.7. Early gains were broad as investors weighed tariff-driven reshoring themes in healthcare against upbeat tech sentiment tied to Tesla’s autonomy ambitions.

On policy, AINVEST flags the approaching 100% U.S. tariff on imported branded and patented pharmaceuticals (effective Oct. 1), arguing it is pushing drugmakers to accelerate U.S. manufacturing and diversify supply chains. The report frames the move as a structural shift with potential winners among domestic manufacturers and logistics providers if companies “embrac[e] regionalization and collaboration to navigate a fragmented world.”

Tech contributed to the tone thanks to fresh analyst optimism on Tesla. In a new note, Wedbush lifted its price target to $600 and argued that investors are underestimating the company’s AI/autonomy roadmap: “We are raising our price target on Tesla to $600 from $500…” The team adds that “Musk is now driving Tesla into its next stage of growth as ‘wartime CEO’.” The report contends easing regulatory frictions could accelerate robotaxi deployments, a narrative that keeps AI-linked momentum visible in morning trading.

Gold-related equities were also in focus after an AINVEST “Capital & Power” discussion with gold manager Axel Merk highlighted the metal’s move from niche to mainstream. The piece underscores shifting investor behavior: “Gold isn’t just glittering—it’s exploding into the financial mainstream.” It also cautions that “As Merk puts it, gold’s volatility can rival the S&P 500,” a reminder that diversification benefits can come with sharp swings.

Taken together, the opening tape reflects a market triangulating between policy-sensitive defensives (health care supply chains navigating tariffs), growth narratives (AI and autonomy), and macro hedges (renewed interest in precious metals). With indexes green out of the gate, the session’s trajectory will hinge on whether tariff headlines or AI enthusiasm set the broader tone as liquidity builds through the morning.