Stocks Mixed as Tech Pops; Oil and Gold Gain

Shortly after markets opened, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 131.90 points, or 0.28%, to 46,626.4, while the S&P 500 edged up 9.13, or 0.14%, to 6,724.92. The Nasdaq Composite rose 68.09, or 0.30%, to 22,848.6. Small-caps were firmer, with the Russell 2000 up 1.05 points, or 0.43%, to 246.88. Market breadth leaned positive—advancers made up 55.2% (3,068 issues) versus 40.5% (2,250) decliners

Technology shares led early gains, helped by momentum in the chip complex. Ainvest reported —“AMD Soars 25% After Shock OpenAI Deal: ChatGPT Maker Scores 10% Stake as Nvidia’s AI Reign Faces Its Biggest Threat Yet.” The move helped buoy broader growth indexes that are heavily tilted to semiconductors and AI-linked software.

AInvest will stream Sam Altman's DevDay 2025 keynote at 1 p.m. ET October 6

Energy prices also firmed. U.S. crude for November delivery traded at $61.35, up 0.77% on the day, per a Yahoo Finance contract page. The move came as a welcome surprise according to AInvest. “OPEC’s Surprise Move: Smaller 137K Barrel Hike Sends Oil Prices Jumping as Cartel Blinks at Supply Glut Fears.” Higher oil typically lifts energy producers but can rekindle inflation concerns if sustained.

Gold advanced to $3,954.90, up 1.18% as of just after the opening bell, the Yahoo Finance screen showed, suggesting some investors were adding to defensive positions even as equities gained. The simultaneous rise in stocks and bullion hints at a market balancing risk appetite in tech with a hedge against macro uncertainty.

On the thematic front, the Bank of America Institute highlighted innovation in wearables with a research note —“Eyes on the future: Smart glasses.” Such long-horizon narratives often intersect with AI hardware and semiconductor demand, themes already in focus given the AMD/OpenAI news flow. The note highlights how AR-capable devices could take the lead as features expand, writing: “Thanks to a richer day-to-day experience, BofA Global Research believes that AR glasses may gradually replace AI glasses in the next two to three years.”