AI rally lifts Wall Street indexes

U.S. equities closed higher on September 26, 2026, as buying in artificial-intelligence-related technology stocks supported the broader market. The S&P 500 (SPX) rose 0.51% to 7,743.41, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.48% to finish at 27,068.72. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) outperformed in percentage terms, gaining 478.64 points, or 0.93%, to close at 51,828.62.

The gains extended a short-term rebound in major indexes, with AI-linked shares a key driver of sentiment. For the week ending September 25, 2026, the S&P 500 (SPX) was up about 1.2% and the Nasdaq was higher by roughly 2%. These moves reflected renewed interest in technology and AI-exposed names following recent volatility.

Microsoft (MSFT) was one of the session’s standout performers, with its shares rallying about 3.7% on the day. The move followed the company’s unveiling of new capabilities for its Copilot application, including a coding tool aimed at software development tasks and an always-on AI agent designed to provide continuous assistance.

The announcement added to investor enthusiasm around large technology platforms positioned within the AI ecosystem. Microsoft’s (MSFT) strength contributed meaningfully to gains in the major indexes, particularly the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite.

Technology leadership was evident at the sector level, where seven of the 11 S&P 500 sector indexes finished higher. Information technology led the advance with a gain of roughly 0.91%, underscoring the day’s focus on AI and software-related companies.

Despite the positive performance, overall trading activity was subdued. Consolidated volume across U.S. exchanges totaled about 14.9 billion shares, below the 20-session average of 16.8 billion. The lighter turnover suggested some investors remained cautious even as equity prices moved higher.

Akamai Technologies (AKAM) also participated in the AI-focused move after announcing a significant new partnership. The company disclosed a seven-year, $11.6 billion cloud-services agreement with AI developer Anthropic. The deal is structured to provide Anthropic with access to Akamai’s cloud infrastructure.

As part of the agreement, Anthropic received warrants that could allow it to acquire up to about 5% of Akamai’s (AKAM) stock. The combination of long-term revenue visibility and a strategic link to a prominent AI player supported Akamai’s share price during the session.

Even with the advance in AI and technology names, broader market sentiment was tempered by macroeconomic pressures. High crude oil prices continued to weigh on investor risk appetite, raising concerns about costs for consumers and businesses.

A recent surge in U.S. Treasury yields also remained a key headwind, influencing valuations and borrowing costs across the market. These factors kept some investors on edge and contributed to the cautious tone underlying the session’s gains, even as AI-related momentum lifted the major indexes.