Business · Markets · 2 days ago
AI spending drives US stock bull market into its fourth year
The US stock market has been rising for almost four years, and the S&P 500 is near a record high.
Spending on artificial intelligence has helped boost company profits and economic growth.
But investors worry that higher interest rates or weaker results from AI investments could slow the rally.
Companies may need to show that their AI spending will lead to lasting profits.
US stocks are approaching the fourth anniversary of their bull market, with spending on artificial intelligence helping drive corporate profits and economic growth.
The S&P 500 is trading near record levels ahead of October 12, four years after it closed at a low for the current cycle.
The bull market has gained 117%, making it the sixth-best performer among bull markets since World War II.
Analysts say AI-related investment is supporting earnings, but companies will face pressure to show that spending leads to profits.
Potential risks include higher interest rates and Treasury yields, election-related volatility and any sign that AI momentum is weakening.
- Who
- US companies and investors, with technology firms playing a central role.
- What
- AI spending is helping drive a US stock bull market into its fourth year.
- When
- The article was published on October 9, 2026; the market’s fourth anniversary is October 12.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- Spending to expand AI infrastructure is supporting corporate earnings and economic growth.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
AI is the defining theme of this bull market.
The S&P 500 closed at a low for the current cycle, marking the start of the latest bull market.
ChatGPT was launched.
The article reported that the S&P 500 was near record levels ahead of the bull market’s fourth anniversary.
US midterm elections are scheduled, which could bring market volatility.
- Bull market gain
- 117%
- Anniversary
- October 12, four years after the S&P 500’s cycle low
- S&P 500 earnings forecast
- More than 35% growth this year
- AI contribution to recent US economic growth
- About one-third, estimated by Oxford Economics
- Nvidia market value
- $5.8 trillion, compared with $286 billion on October 12, 2022
- US companies worth at least $1 trillion
- 13 компаний
Sources
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