S&P 500 record high as OpenAI tops $40B run rate

The S&P 500 (SPX) set an intraday all-time high of 7,816.70 on August 13, 2026, and finished the session at a record closing level. The milestone extended a strong run for U.S. equities, with futures trading little changed afterward as investors assessed the move.

Technology and communication-services stocks were among the key drivers of the index’s gains. Strength in these growth-oriented sectors helped push the benchmark to its latest records, reinforcing their influence on overall market performance.

Traders reacted to inflation data and falling oil prices, which shaped expectations for monetary policy and economic momentum. The market’s response reflected growing confidence that price pressures were moderating rather than re-accelerating.

Softer-than-expected producer price data supported the S&P 500’s advance. The readings contributed to a broader picture of moderating inflation, easing concerns that near-term price trends might force a faster policy response.

With inflation indicators softening, investors scaled back bets on imminent Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. Market participants increasingly anticipated that the Fed would refrain from raising rates at its next meeting, a backdrop that was supportive for risk assets.

The combination of easing inflation pressure and sector-specific strength in technology and communication services underpinned the broader rally. This environment favored companies and industries perceived as beneficiaries of stable or lower borrowing costs.

Alongside the moves in public markets, OpenAI’s business metrics signaled rapid growth. The company is on track to generate an annualized revenue run rate of more than $40 billion based on its current performance.

Bloomberg reporting indicates that this run rate has roughly doubled from the end of 2025. The acceleration highlights how quickly demand for OpenAI’s offerings has expanded in a relatively short period.

People familiar with the matter said revenue has picked up in recent months, supported by subscription sales, an emerging advertising business and growth of its AI coding software. Enterprise-focused products have also contributed to the higher revenue pace.

In an internal announcement, co-founder and President Greg Brockman said OpenAI’s monthly revenue run rate grew by more than 20% in July. This jump underscored the momentum the business is experiencing as adoption broadens.

Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar has previously stated that OpenAI ended last year with an annualized revenue run rate above $20 billion. The latest figures suggest a substantial increase since then, consistent with the reported doubling from late 2025 levels.

To support its growth and commercial strategy, OpenAI has reduced prices on certain models and appointed a new chief revenue officer. These go-to-market steps are part of preparations for an expected initial public offering, aligning the organization for a larger scale of operations.

The S&P 500’s record levels and OpenAI’s rising revenue run rate highlight the prominence of technology and AI within the current market environment. Gains in major tech-related sectors contributed to the index’s high, while OpenAI’s figures point to expanding commercial adoption of AI tools.

Both developments reflect investor and customer interest in technology-driven growth against a backdrop of moderating inflation. While one is a broad market benchmark and the other a single private company, their recent performance underscores how macroeconomic conditions and AI innovation are shaping financial markets.