Nasdaq Composite eyes AI doubts ahead of the open, 278 points up
Published on 10/22/2026 at 13:30 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSAI earnings and next data
- The October 21 close was 26,703 points, up 278 points or 1.1 percent.
- SpaceX revenue rose 161 percent to USD 14.58 billion, reviving AI trade optimism.
- Super Micro Computer led gainers at 9.6 percent, while Netflix fell 5.3 percent.
- Initial jobless claims are due October 22 at 8:30 a.m. ET, with a 200,000 consensus.
The Nasdaq Composite closed at 26,703 points on October 21, up 278 points or 1.1 percent. Reuters linked the advance to stronger artificial intelligence earnings and renewed demand for AI infrastructure.
Super Micro Computer jumped 9.6 percent after raising its revenue outlook for AI servers, while SpaceX gained 7.8 percent after reporting its first profit as a public company.
Why did AI shares lift the Nasdaq Composite?
SpaceX reported third-quarter revenue of USD 14.58 billion, up 161 percent from a year earlier. The results helped revive confidence that heavy AI investment can produce sales and profits, the Associated Press reported.
Winners and losers in the Nasdaq Composite
Stock moves at the October 21 close came from the same regular-session market data, Reuters reported:
- Super Micro Computer up 9.6 percent: stronger AI-server revenue guidance.
- SpaceX up 7.8 percent: first quarterly profit as a public company.
- Netflix down 5.3 percent: weaker fourth-quarter profit guidance.
- T-Mobile US down 2.5 percent: communication-services weakness.
Nasdaq Composite cues before the open
Nasdaq 100 futures were down 1.9 percent at 4:56 a.m. ET on October 22. Tesla fell 5.3 percent in premarket trading after cutting its 2026 capital-expenditure forecast, while Meta slipped 1.9 percent, Reuters reported.
What comes next for the Nasdaq Composite
- October 22, 2026, 8:30 a.m. ET: Initial and continuing jobless claims; consensus is 200,000 and 1.72 million, Investing.com reports.
- October 22, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ET: US leading index; consensus is down 0.2 percent after a 0.1 percent decline, Investing.com reports.
Nasdaq Composite price data for October 21, 2026
The Nasdaq Composite closed at 26,703 points on October 21, 2026, according to Reuters. It gained 278 points, or 1.1 percent, from the October 20 close of 26,425 points.
Nasdaq Composite by the numbers on October 21, 2026
- Index: Nasdaq Composite
- Home exchange: Nasdaq, United States
- Close on October 21, 2026: 26,703 points
- Change versus previous close of October 20, 2026: up 278 points (up 1.1 percent)
- Previous close: 26,425 points
- Top gainer: Super Micro Computer up 9.6 percent
- Top loser: Netflix down 5.3 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 22, 2026, 8:30 a.m. ET: Initial jobless claims
