Stock Market Today: Dow Slips, Nasdaq Gains on AI Optimism – October 2, 2025

Wall Street closed mixed on Wednesday as AI-driven tech stocks rallied, offsetting concerns over the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now in its fourth day. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped slightly, the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 held firm, buoyed by investor confidence in artificial intelligence-led earnings growth.

Market Snapshot – October 2, 2025

What’s Driving the Divergence?

AI Optimism

Tech giants like Nvidia, Alphabet, and Palantir saw gains as analysts raised Q4 earnings forecasts, citing strong enterprise AI adoption and cloud demand.

Shutdown Fatigue

Investors appear to be pricing in a short-term resolution to the U.S. government shutdown, despite delays in economic data releases and federal services.

Bond Yield Volatility

10-year Treasury yields hovered near 4.65%, keeping pressure on rate-sensitive sectors like real estate and utilities.

Mixed Sector Performance

Energy stocks declined on falling crude prices, while consumer discretionary and communication services posted modest gains.

What to Watch Next

  • U.S. Congress negotiations on budget and debt ceiling
  • Upcoming non-farm payrolls data (subject to delay)
  • Tech earnings previews from Microsoft, Meta, and AMD
  • Fed commentary on rate path amid shutdown uncertainty

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Final Takeaway

Despite the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, investor enthusiasm around AI innovation and tech earnings helped the Nasdaq and S&P 500 stay positive. As macro risks persist, market direction will hinge on policy clarity and corporate performance.

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