Nvidia, Microsoft Lead Market Gains Despite Overall Weakness/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Technology giants like Nvidia and Microsoft helped push Wall Street higher Monday, despite most stocks declining. The Nasdaq gained sharply on AI momentum, even as the Dow slipped and concerns about overvalued tech stocks lingered. Kenvue surged on buyout news while Beyond Meat fell on earnings delays.
Tech Surge vs. Broad Decline – Quick Looks
- S&P 500 rises 0.4%, nearing all-time high despite most stocks slipping
- Nasdaq jumps 0.9%, led by Nvidia (+2.7%) and AI-linked gains
- Dow slips 34 points (-0.1%) as non-tech sectors struggle
- Microsoft gains 0.8% after securing $9.7B AI cloud contract with IREN
- Palantir climbs 2% ahead of earnings report
- AI stocks continue hot streak, raising bubble concerns
- Kenvue soars 15.9% on $48.7B buyout by Kimberly-Clark (shares -12.1%)
- Beyond Meat drops 11.7% after delaying earnings report
- Berkshire Hathaway dips 0.2% as Buffett prepares to step down
- South Korea’s Kospi hits new high; global markets mixed
Deep Look
Nvidia and Microsoft Power Wall Street Gains as Broader Market Softens
NEW YORK — Technology stocks once again took center stage on Wall Street Monday, with artificial intelligence leaders like Nvidia and Microsoft driving early gains. Their strength helped offset broader market weakness, as most stocks in the S&P 500 slipped despite the index itself rising.
The S&P 500 was up 0.4% shortly after the opening bell, edging closer to its record high set last week. The Nasdaq composite led the way with a 0.9% gain, buoyed by surging interest in AI-related stocks. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 34 points, or 0.1%, showing weakness in more traditional sectors.
Nvidia was among the standout performers, climbing 2.7% and once again proving to be a market heavyweight. The chipmaker continues to ride the wave of artificial intelligence enthusiasm, having been one of the S&P 500’s top gainers throughout 2025.
Microsoft added to the tech momentum, rising 0.8% after announcing a $9.7 billion cloud infrastructure deal with AI cloud firm IREN. The five-year agreement gives Microsoft access to more of Nvidia’s hardware, supporting its efforts to expand AI capabilities. Shares of IREN surged 18.8% on the news.
Palantir Technologies also climbed 2% ahead of its quarterly earnings report. The data analytics firm has already gained more than 165% this year, fueled by its perceived position as a major AI player.
These gains come with caution. Analysts have warned that the AI-fueled rally may be overheating, with concerns mounting over stretched valuations. However, strong earnings have so far supported the momentum. According to FactSet, nearly 80% of S&P 500 companies that have reported results this quarter have beaten analysts’ expectations. The index is on pace for a nearly 11% year-over-year earnings growth.
Deal News Sends Kenvue Soaring, Kimberly-Clark Sliding
Consumer health company Kenvue saw its stock jump 15.9% after Kimberly-Clark announced it would acquire the maker of Tylenol, Band-Aid, and Listerine in a massive $48.7 billion deal. Kimberly-Clark shares dropped 12.1% following the announcement, as investors digested the cash-and-stock terms of the acquisition.
The move aims to broaden Kimberly-Clark’s health and personal care portfolio, adding global brands and distribution strength.
Beyond Meat Sinks on Earnings Delay
On the losing end, Beyond Meat tumbled 11.7% after pushing its earnings release to November 11, citing the need for more time to evaluate non-cash charges related to previously disclosed asset issues. The stock has been under pressure for months, despite experiencing a volatile spike in October amid renewed retail trading hype.
Beyond Meat soared from 52 cents to $3.62 in three days last month — a nearly 600% surge — before falling back. Analysts remain skeptical of the company’s long-term outlook amid declining sales and lingering supply chain issues.
Berkshire Hathaway Dips as Buffett Exit Nears
Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate led by Warren Buffett, dipped 0.2% after releasing one of the final quarterly reports with Buffett as CEO. The 95-year-old investing legend is expected to step down in January, marking the end of a historic era.
Global Markets Show Mixed Signals
International markets painted a mixed picture. South Korea’s Kospi index jumped 2.8% to a record high, led by an 11% surge in SK Hynix, which announced AI-related collaboration with Nvidia. South Korean shipbuilders also saw gains after China canceled port surcharges on U.S.-linked vessels, a decision made following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
European indexes were more muted, with slight gains and losses across major bourses, reflecting ongoing caution over inflation and central bank policy.
Bond Market Holds Steady
In the bond market, 10-year Treasury yields held firm at 4.11%, unchanged from late Friday. Yields have climbed since Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned markets last week not to assume another rate cut is imminent. Investors continue to monitor inflation data and Fed commentary for signs of what comes next.
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