S&P 500 Starts Week on a High Note As AMD Boosts Nasdaq Performance Live Updates
Headline: AMD-OpenAI Partnership Fuels NASDAQ Surge Amid M&A Activity and Government Shutdown Concerns
The New York Stock Exchange buzzed with activity on September 17, 2025, as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite posted gains, bolstered by an impressive rally in Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) shares. Thanks to a promising partnership with OpenAI, AMD experienced a significant uplift, pushing tech stocks higher despite broader market challenges.
AMD Stocks Soar Due to Key OpenAI Partnership
AMD shares escalated by over 20% following the announcement of a groundbreaking deal with OpenAI, which could eventually grant the AI leader a 10% stake in the chipmaker. This strategic alignment will see AMD leveraging specific graphics processing units in collaboration with OpenAI, stretching over the coming years. This development applied pressure to Nvidia, AMD’s primary competitor in the graphics processor realm, as investors adjusted to the new dynamics.
Comerica and Fifth Third Bancorp Lead M&A Activity
In addition to AMD’s gains, Comerica shares surged more than 10% on news of an all-stock merger with Fifth Third Bancorp valued at $10.9 billion. This merger is set to establish the ninth-largest U.S. bank by assets. Spurred by the potential for more deals, the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF reflected positive momentum within the financial sector.
Government Shutdown Shadows Market Optimism
Despite positive corporate developments, concerns lingered over the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now entering its second week. Legislative stalemates have postponed crucial economic data releases, including the anticipated September jobs report. Investors, however, remain largely unfazed, focusing instead on robust earnings projections and prospective Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Robert Edwards, Chief Investment Officer at Edwards Asset Management, noted, “The stock market seems to dismiss the government shutdown as mere ‘Beltway blah blah blah’. Government shutdowns have extended from days to weeks, necessitating investor patience. Any considerable market dip should be viewed as an ‘Investor Prime Day’ opportunity.”
Market Resilience and Forward Momentum
Despite the current data blackout, key Federal Reserve figures, including Governor Stephen Miran and Chair Jerome Powell, are scheduled to provide updates later this week. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite recently recorded their fourth weekly gains within five weeks, rising 1.1% and 1.3% respectively. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased for the third time in four weeks, reflecting a 1.1% rise.
While concerns persist over the labor market and the sustained government shutdown, optimism remains prevalent among investors. There is a growing belief that the S&P 500 could surpass 7,000 by the end of the year, navigating current headwinds and capitalizing on economic recovery prospects.
