On October 3, 2025, U.S. stocks concluded a winning week as Wall Street focused on the rising promise of artificial intelligence, despite a government shutdown postponing the release of the critical monthly jobs report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) touched the landmark figure of 47,000 before settling with a 0.5% increase, marking a new all-time high.
The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) also achieved a slight advancement above the flatline with a fresh record, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) experienced a fall of 0.3%, primarily influenced by the decline in Tesla (TSLA) shares.
The ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now in its third day, has caused significant disruptions in economic data reporting. This situation has left Wall Street—and even the Federal Reserve—in need of authoritative labor market data, leading investors to rely on private data confirming a slowdown. However, the backdrop of AI fervor continues to drive market optimism.
AI developments powered notable market performances this week. OpenAI has attained an eye-watering valuation of $500 billion, securing its place as the world’s most valuable startup. Strategic partnerships, such as Hitachi’s collaboration with OpenAI in energy projects and Fujitsu's expanded efforts with Nvidia (NVDA), are adding to the positive sentiment surrounding AI.
Pharmaceutical stocks are also having a standout week, on track for their best performance in over a decade. Economic indicators from the Institute for Supply Management showed a worrying drop in the services sector, with September’s PMI falling to 50%, indicating stagnation—an unsettling sign in the context of inflationary pressures.
In terms of market movements, cryptocurrencies have enjoyed a bullish day, with Bitcoin (BTC-USD) reaching just below $123,000, reflecting a growing risk-on sentiment among investors. Ether (ETH-USD) also rose to about $4,500, highlighting strong performance in the crypto space amid broader market uncertainties.
As investors anticipate the next Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, expected on October 15, concerns loom regarding further rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. This could signal important shifts in monetary policy following the upcoming earnings season starting October 9.
The week concluded with widespread optimism across the equity markets, setting the stage for renewed efforts to breach higher highs as the fourth quarter unfolds.