Happy Friday! The race for AI dominance just hit a new peak as OpenAI made history and surpassed SpaceX in the process to set a new benchmark for startups. Read on for all the insights and what this could mean for the future of AI and major tech players.

Also, ‘Uptober’ is here, and this month has a history of providing positive and consistent returns. Three standout stocks are signaling a buying opportunity that traders won’t want to miss. In addition, here’s a look at five stocks that have soared over the last few months but are showing signs of being overextended and are at risk of a correction.

Plus, Benzinga is hosting the biggest Fintech conference of the year in November. Click here for more details, and come join the biggest names in Fintech.

In Today's Edition

• MARKET RECAP

• MARKET HEATMAP

• FIVE ZINGERS

• MARKET HISTORY

• ONE FOR THE ROAD

OpenAI Makes History With $500 Billion Share Sale Valuation, Overtakes Elon Musk's SpaceX

OpenAI has claimed the title of the world’s most valuable startup with a staggering $500 billion valuation, leapfrogging Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

A $6.6 billion share sale to investors signals a resounding bet on AI’s next chapter. But valuation alone doesn’t tell the full story — this move could be the opening act in a much larger transformation as AI hits another gear.

Read on to see what this could mean for Nvidia, Microsoft, Meta and the rest of the AI ecosystem.

Don’t Miss This Premier Fintech Gathering In New York City

Join us on November 10, 2025, in New York City for a transformative experience that blends cutting-edge financial technology insights with unparalleled networking opportunities. This event is designed to showcase the latest advancements in fintech, celebrate industry achievements and foster connections that drive the future of finance. Join us for a powerhouse event designed to connect visionary leaders, ignite groundbreaking deals and celebrate the brightest stars in the financial technology industry.

Yesterday: U.S. indexes finished at record highs Thursday as semiconductor strength helped boost sentiment, with Intel and AMD both advancing more than 3% and Nvidia hitting new all-time highs. While the markets had another positive day, Wall Street still remains on edge as the government shutdown continues, heightening concerns around policy uncertainty, inflation and labor market softness. In addition, bond yields declined, the U.S. dollar rebounded and crude oil hovered near four-month lows amid persistent oversupply worries.

On Our Radar: Key data on the health of the labor market due out this week is delayed due to the government shutdown. Initial jobless claims, scheduled to be released yesterday, were expected to show a modest uptick to 223,000. Today’s September jobs report won’t be released; however, when it does, Wall Street expects to see 50,000 jobs created. On the earnings front, all eyes will be on Aehr Test Systems (AEHR), which will report earnings after the market close on Monday.

Shares of Fair Isaac (FICO), Coinbase (COIN) and AMD (AMD) were soaring, while Equifax (EFX), Occidental Petroleum (OXY) and AppLovin (APP) were the S&P 500’s biggest losers. But those weren’t the only companies making big moves. Here’s a look at some of the biggest winners and losers on Thursday.

Discover how the market is moving with our interactive heatmap. Filter by market cap, or click on any box to explore specific sectors or assets in more detail.

Chris Capre’s 1–5 Day Trade Setups For Shutdown Volatility

The shutdown is fueling uncertainty, and the first week of October could bring decisive market moves. Join Chris Capre live this Sunday to see exactly how he prepares, what setups he targets and how he manages risk while staying aggressive. Get the plan before the week takes off.

On This Day In 2008…

Amid the height of the financial crisis, the U.S. government took an important step to stabilize the financial system by passing the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). This $700 billion bailout aimed to purchase toxic assets and inject capital into struggling banks to restore confidence and liquidity in the markets. Signed into law by President George W. Bush, TARP marked one of the largest government interventions in U.S. financial history and played a critical role in preventing a deeper economic collapse.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“In investing, what is comfortable is rarely profitable.“

 — Robert Arnott

3 Stocks To Consider Buying For 'Uptober'

Markets move in patterns — and some of them are too strong to ignore. This month, the seasonal setup is flashing green once again, and three specific stocks are lining up with a signal that has been positive 9 out of the last 10 years.

The best part? Each of these plays supports a different strategy, giving traders and investors a variety of options to participate. Read on to get the full breakdown and see how you can position yourself while there’s still time.

BEFORE YOU GO

Were you forwarded this email? Click here to subscribe.

And be sure to check out our other newsletters:

Future Finance: Where fintech, crypto and the future of finance collide. Future Finance is a perfect lunch read packed with quick bites for industry enthusiasts. Subscribe here.

Advisor: Tailor-made for Financial Advisors, this weekly newsletter has industry-specific insights, analysis, and news. Subscribe here.

Tech Trends: Get the inside scoop on AI, the hottest gadgets and mind-blowing tech trends. Subscribe here.