US stocks were mixed on Monday as escalating uncertainty around the US–Iran standoff contrasted with strong momentum in the artificial intelligence sector. The S&P 500 edged higher and the Nasdaq 100 added 0.5%, both setting fresh record highs, while the Dow hovered just below the flatline.
Nvidia rose 4% after unveiling its new RTX Spark Superchip, signaling a major push into the PC market. The efficiency gains promised by the new chip powered a broader rally in AI‑related names: software and hyperscaler stocks advanced, with Microsoft up 2.5% and Oracle up 6%, while complementary hardware names surged, including Micron and Dell, which both climbed 7%.
IBM jumped 10% following the renewed circulation of footage of President Trump describing the company’s shares as having a “nice price.”
On the geopolitical front, Iran said it would suspend talks with the US until Israel halts its attacks in Gaza, a declaration that came shortly after fresh strikes involving Iran and GCC member states, even as US President Trump maintained that dialogue with Tehran remained promising.
More traditional economic sectors lagged, with payments giant Visa slipping 1%.
