U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday, starting the fourth quarter with gains as artificial intelligence-related shares continued to support the broader market despite rising Treasury yields and another increase in oil prices.
The S&P 500 gained about 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose nearly 80 points as investors returned to equities following a volatile third quarter.
Communication services led sector gains, while technology stocks also advanced. Materials were among the weakest areas of the market.
Alphabet and Chip Stocks Support Market
Alphabet rose 1.7% after beginning the rollout of its latest artificial intelligence model, adding to continued investor interest in companies developing AI infrastructure and applications.
Semiconductor stocks also provided support following an upbeat forecast from Micron Technology, whose shares gained about 0.2%.
Other major technology companies moved higher, with Nvidia up 0.8%, Microsoft 1.1%, Amazon 0.7%, Broadcom 0.5%, Meta 0.5% and Tesla 0.5%.
Apple moved against the broader technology sector, falling about 0.7%.
The gains came even as Treasury yields remained elevated and oil prices resumed their advance, two factors that have recently increased volatility across U.S. financial markets.
Investors Enter Fourth Quarter After Volatile Q3
The beginning of October puts investors at the start of the final quarter of 2026 after a third quarter marked by swings in energy prices, interest-rate expectations and technology shares.
The continued strength of AI-related companies helped offset weakness elsewhere in Thursday’s session.
Nike rose 1.1% ahead of its earnings report, while Eli Lilly declined 0.9%. Exxon Mobil fell 0.4% and Bank of America lost 0.6%.
With technology shares providing much of the early support, Thursday’s trading showed the AI investment theme continuing to influence major U.S. indexes even as higher borrowing costs and energy prices remain important pressures for the broader market.
