US stock market indices posted gains Monday, September 22, as Wall Street continued its record-setting performance driven by Big Tech megacaps. The Dow Jones Industrial Average nudged up 0.1 per cent, while the S&P 500 rose about 0.4 per cent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite led gains, rising 0.6 per cent following a strong week for stocks as investors welcomed Federal Reserve easing measures.

Nvidia stock surged back near an all-time high as the company announced plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI over the coming years. Oracle shares also jumped amid the news, alongside White House confirmation that it would participate in a consortium of investors controlling TikTok's US operations.

The Nvidia OpenAI deal represents one of the largest artificial intelligence investments, combining OpenAI's development capabilities with Nvidia's semiconductor technology for data center construction.

Also read: Nvidia to invest $100 billion in OpenAI to power next-generation AI, NVDA stock hits record high

Tesla stock reaches 2025 high amid self-driving focus

Tesla stock was positioned to close Monday at a 2025 high as investors anticipated the company's self-driving future and new product developments. The electric vehicle manufacturer's stock performance reflects market optimism about autonomous driving technology advancement.

Gold hits record high above $3,750 on Fed rate expectations

Gold rose to a fresh all-time high Monday, topping $3,750 amid market expectations the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates twice more before 2025 ends. The precious metal's performance reflects investor positioning ahead of potential monetary policy changes.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency tokens declined as traders liquidated over $1.5 billion in bullish positions, contrasting with gold's record performance.

Markets await Fed's preferred PCE inflation data Friday

Stock market participants are monitoring Friday's Personal Consumption Expenditures price index reading to assess Federal Reserve policy direction. A weak inflation print could increase odds of another quarter-point rate cut in October.

Wall Street expects September PCE data to show price pressures persisting but remaining moderate enough to keep the Fed on easing track. Markets will also monitor upcoming Federal Reserve speakers, including Chair Jerome Powell and President Trump-backed Stephen Miran.

Fed governor Miran advocates lower interest rates

Newly installed Fed governor Stephen Miran said Monday he believes interest rates should be roughly 2 percentage points lower. Powell is scheduled to speak Tuesday, providing additional insight into monetary policy direction.

H-1B visa fee increase creates corporate concerns

Stock market participants monitored potential fallout from Trump's immigration policy changes. The administration announced Friday that US companies will face $100,000 fees for H-1B work visas, prompting Microsoft and Goldman Sachs to send urgent employee communications.

Also read: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman support Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee increase

The H-1B visa fee increase affects technology and finance sectors that rely heavily on skilled immigrant workers for operations.