# Nasdaq hits record close as AI rally lifts index 2.26%

Digest AI · Business & Funding · published 2026-09-22T12:25:55Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/nasdaq-hits-record-close-as-ai-rally-lifts-index-2-26

## Summary

The Nasdaq Composite rose 2.26% on Monday, posting its first record close since June as an artificial‑intelligence rally boosted tech‑heavy stocks. The gain helped the S&P 500 log its best day since early August, while AI‑linked names such as Intel, AMD and Qualcomm led the advance. Advanced Micro Devices saw its market value reach $1 trillion for the first time, joining Nvidia in the trillion‑dollar club, and Meta’s shares jumped more than 11% after its new Muse AI personal‑agent app generated positive buzz.

Paramount and Skydance settled the antitrust lawsuit brought by a coalition of state attorneys general over their planned $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The agreement requires Paramount to increase domestic production and create a new board to oversee editorial independence at CBS and CNN. CEO David Ellison said the merger could close in about two weeks. OpenAI released safety and security proposals urging global standards for frontier models, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and President Donald Trump each weighed in on developer responsibility and potential regulation of AI.

## Key points

- Nasdaq Composite rose 2.26% to a record close, its first since June.
- Advanced Micro Devices hit a $1 trillion market cap, joining Nvidia.
- Paramount‑Skydance settled antitrust case, pledging more domestic production and an editorial board, aiming to close merger in about two weeks.

## Why it matters

The AI‑driven market surge lifts tech valuations, while a trillion‑dollar chip maker and a major media merger settlement reshape industry dynamics and regulatory scrutiny.

## Sources

1. [Nasdaq's new record, Paramount settles lawsuit, press pool suspends coverage and more in Morning Squawk](https://cnbc.com/2026/09/22/5-things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens.html) (CNBC Technology, 2026-09-22)

Part of the developing story: [AI Boom Drives Tech Stocks To Record Highs](https://digestai.news/thread/amd-reaches-1-trillion-market-cap-as-shares-rise-9) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Nasdaq hits record close as AI rally lifts index 2.26%", 22 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/nasdaq-hits-record-close-as-ai-rally-lifts-index-2-26

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