October 22, 2025

The US stock market kicked off the week on a high note on Monday, October 20, with major indexes jumping more than 1%. Investors felt excited about strong demand for new products and a busy week ahead filled with corporate earnings and important inflation data, says an Investopedia report. Apple shares were the big star, jumping nearly 4% to hit a record close. Why the buzz? Counterpoint Research revealed that iPhone 17 sales in the US and China during the first 10 days outpaced the previous model, showing fiery consumer interest in Apple’s flagship device. As Investopedia reported, “Apple shares jumped nearly 4% to a record close after a report pointed to robust demand for the company’s new iPhone 17 series in the US and China.” Super Micro Computer also got investor excitement, soaring 5.5% after technical analysts spotted a “cup and handle” bullish pattern forming – a sign that the stock might climb further. This server maker, well-known for AI infrastructure, had struggled after missing sales and profit targets recently, but now seems ready for a comeback. Energy stocks didn’t lag behind either, surging as natural gas prices climbed. With colder weather expected, demand for heating is set to rise. Expand Energy shares led the charge, jumping 6%, topping the S&P 500 for the day, while EQT Corp gained nearly 5%. Not all stocks were celebrating. AppLovin saw shares drop 5.6% due to fears of tougher regulations over its data collection. The ad-tech firm faces increased scrutiny from the SEC, Press reports have pointed out. Oracle's stock also slipped almost 5%, continuing a recent decline. Despite announcing ambitious plans to grow through AI at its Oracle AI World conference in Las Vegas, analysts worry about rising costs and heavy reliance on revenue connected to OpenAI. As Investopedia notes, "several Wall Street analysts voiced concerns about its rising capital expenditures and dependence on revenue linked to OpenAI." Hard disk drive giants Seagate Technology and Western Digital also tumbled, declining 4.9% and 3.7%, respectively. Although UBS analysts raised their price targets, they kept “neutral” ratings fearing that while AI infrastructure demand looks strong through 2026, a slowdown might hit in 2027. Why this rise in US stocks today? Sentiments brightened with strong product demand and the upcoming earnings season. Why the drop for Oracle? Caution grew after the company set big AI growth dreams that worry investors about increasing spending. So, from sizzling Apple iPhone news to the rollercoaster in the tech and energy sectors, Monday’s stock market action delivered plenty of masala for investors and watchers!

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Tags: Us stock market, Apple iphone 17, Oracle ai, Energy stocks, Super micro computer, Regulatory concerns,