Nasdaq surging big today: Nasdaq jumps over 250 points as Dow and S&P 500 also in green - Nvidia, Broadcom and Oracle lead AI rebound, gold hits record above $5,100

NASDAQ Composite surged 257.57 points (1.12%) to reach 23,288.78 on Monday, signaling a high-octane recovery for technology stocks as the AI trade regains its momentum. This rally comes on the heels of the Dow Jones Industrial Average breaching the historic 50,000 milestone for the first time, an event that underscores the sheer resilience of the 2026 bull market despite recent volatility. While the Dow remained relatively flat with a marginal gain of 0.04% to close at 50,134.54, the S&P 500 climbed 0.62% to finish at 6,975.59.

Energy markets also saw upward movement on Monday, with WTI Crude Oil rising 1.54% to $64.53 and Brent Crude climbing to $67.91. This uptick in energy prices contributed to the broader gain in the S&P 500, though it was offset by a sharp 7.19% drop in Natural Gas prices.

In the retail and healthcare space, Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) experienced a massive sell-off, plummeting 25.52% on high volume. Conversely, TeraWulf (WULF), a player in the crypto-mining sector, gained 12.60%, showing that specific niches within the tech ecosystem are still producing outsized returns. As the week progresses, the focus will remain on whether the NASDAQ can maintain its lead over the Dow.


Market sentiment is currently tethered to a significant cooling in inflation expectations, as the New York Fed’s latest survey indicates consumer outlook for one-year inflation has dropped to 3.1%. Investors are aggressively rotating back into mega-cap tech, specifically within the semiconductor and cloud infrastructure sectors, after software-led sell-offs briefly shook confidence last week.

With the January jobs report and CPI data delayed by a partial government shutdown, today's price action reflects a market betting on a "soft landing" and a stabilizing labor market, even as private payroll data suggests a cooling economy.

Nasdaq rallies as Nvidia, Broadcom and Oracle lead AI rebound

The Nasdaq’s strength came from decisive buying in megacap and AI-exposed stocks. NVIDIA jumped more than 3% to $191, extending its multi-session rally as demand for AI accelerators remained robust. Broadcom gained roughly 4%, benefiting from its exposure to custom AI chips and data-center infrastructure.

Another standout was Oracle, which surged 9% after receiving a rare upgrade to “buy” from D.A. Davidson. Analysts pointed to Oracle’s growing role in the AI ecosystem and its close ties to OpenAI as catalysts for accelerating cloud revenue. The move helped restore confidence in select software names after last week’s rout, which had been driven by fears that AI could disrupt traditional pricing models.

Market strategists noted that tech valuations have also become more attractive. According to CFRA Research, the sector’s forward price-to-earnings ratio has fallen from a 17% premium to an 8% discount relative to its five-year average. That reset has encouraged investors to selectively re-enter technology rather than abandon the sector altogether.

Dow near flat as investors pause after historic 50,000 milestone

While the Nasdaq surged, the Dow traded near the flatline. The index had crossed 50,000 for the first time ever on Friday, capping a powerful rebound from earlier losses. Monday’s pause reflects profit-taking and caution rather than outright weakness. Industrial and consumer stocks were mixed, offsetting gains elsewhere.

Investors appear reluctant to chase the Dow higher without fresh confirmation from economic data and earnings. The index’s price-weighted structure also means moves in a handful of high-priced stocks can dominate performance. As a result, even modest selling pressure has been enough to keep the Dow range-bound while growth stocks power the broader market.

Gold and silver soar as inflation fears ease but hedging demand grows

Commodities sent a clear message of caution beneath the equity rally. Gold soared 2.4% to $5,100, extending its historic run. Silver jumped more than 8%, one of its strongest single-day gains in years. Oil prices also climbed, with WTI crude rising above $64 a barrel.

The surge came even as inflation fears showed signs of easing. A New York Federal Reserve survey revealed that one-year inflation expectations fell to 3.1%, the lowest level since last summer. Longer-term expectations remained stable. Labor market sentiment also improved, with fewer consumers expecting to lose their jobs over the next year.

Despite that optimism, investors continue to hedge. Gold’s rally reflects demand for protection against policy uncertainty, fiscal risks, and potential market volatility ahead of key data releases. The metal’s strength alongside rising equities underscores a market that is optimistic, but not complacent.

Bitcoin and crypto lag as risk appetite remains selective

Cryptocurrencies failed to participate in the broader risk-on move. Bitcoin slipped nearly 1% to around $70,000, while the Nasdaq Crypto Index declined more than 1%. Ether and other major tokens were mostly flat to lower.

The underperformance follows last week’s sharp crypto selloff, which marked bitcoin’s steepest daily decline since 2022. While some stabilization has occurred, investors remain cautious. Unlike equities, crypto lacks near-term catalysts tied to earnings or economic data, leaving prices vulnerable to shifts in sentiment and liquidity.

Jobs report, inflation data and earnings set the next market move

Attention now turns to a packed economic and earnings calendar. The delayed January US jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is due Wednesday. Economists expect payrolls to rise by about 55,000, following a weak ADP report that showed private payroll growth of just 22,000. Any surprise could quickly shift expectations for Federal Reserve policy.

Friday brings the January consumer price index, with consensus forecasting 2.5% annual inflation. A softer reading could reinforce hopes for rate cuts later in the year, supporting equities further. A hotter print would likely reignite volatility.

Earnings will also shape sentiment. Coca-Cola and Ford are scheduled to report, offering insight into consumer demand and industrial conditions. In tech, investors will watch whether recent AI optimism translates into guidance that supports current valuations.