Stock Market Today, Sept. 30: Nvidia Authorizes $150B Buyback, Lifting Total to $235B

Nvidia announced an additional $150 billion share repurchase authorization, bringing its total buyback program to $235 billion through 2028. The company closed up 0.52% at $228.38, supported by positive developments including an AI safety accord and expansion into quantum computing. With 106% year-over-year revenue growth and a forward P/E ratio of 25, Nvidia continues to solidify its position as a leading AI company.

09/30/2026, 5:20 PM • The Motley Fool

This AI Stock May Be the Biggest Winner as Enterprise AI Takes Off

ServiceNow is positioned as a major beneficiary of enterprise AI growth, with 90% of Fortune 500 companies as customers and partnerships with Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon. The company is experiencing accelerating growth driven by large customers upgrading subscriptions as AI costs rise, with Q2 showing 24% revenue growth and a 40% year-over-year increase in $1M+ contract values. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated the market has undervalued ServiceNow, calling it 'destined to be the best platform' for enterprise AI.

09/30/2026, 1:43 PM • The Motley Fool

Michael Burry Buys Put Options on Nvidia, Micron, and Palantir as "The Big Short" Investor Predicts a 1987-Style Market Crash

Michael Burry, famous for predicting the 2008 housing crisis, is now betting against AI stocks by purchasing put options on Nvidia, Micron, and Palantir. He warns of an impending 1987-style market crash driven by AI euphoria and unsustainable leverage. However, the article argues that unlike the dot-com bubble, these companies have real revenue and profitability, and Burry's bearish track record since 2008 suggests caution in following his predictions.

09/30/2026, 1:30 PM • The Motley Fool

SpaceX's Pullback From $225 Sets Up a Classic Buy the Dip Case for Long-Term Investors

SpaceX, which completed the world's largest IPO raising $85 billion at a $1 trillion valuation, has pulled back from its $225 peak to trade around $145. The company operates three interconnected high-growth businesses: space launches, Starlink satellite connectivity (which grew 65% to $4B in revenue), and AI infrastructure. While the stock's decline reflects investor concerns about significant capital expenditures ($15B in AI capex) and unproven technologies, the pullback presents a potential buying opportunity for aggressive long-term investors.

09/30/2026, 1:10 PM • The Motley Fool

Stock Market Indexes Rally on Inflation Data, Though the Dow Sat It Out

The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.1% and S&P 500 gained 0.6% following cooler-than-expected inflation data, with core PCE rising just 0.2% in August versus the 3.3% forecast. However, the rally was driven almost entirely by six mega-cap tech stocks, while the Dow remained flat as heavyweights like Caterpillar and Goldman Sachs declined. The market has shifted expectations for the next Fed rate hike from October to December.

09/30/2026, 1:03 PM • The Motley Fool

The Fed's Preferred Inflation Metric Came in Cooler Than Expected. Here's What That Means for Interest Rates This Year

The August PCE inflation index came in cooler than expected at 3.4%, unchanged from July. This cooler-than-anticipated reading significantly reduced market expectations for a Fed rate hike in October from 70% to just 37%. While stocks showed modest gains on the news, the market remains focused on multiple factors including upcoming employment and CPI data.

09/30/2026, 12:14 PM • The Motley Fool

If You Buy Micron Today, Here's Where It Could Be in 5 Years

Micron Technology is positioned to benefit significantly from AI-driven demand for high bandwidth memory (HBM). The company is investing over $250 billion in U.S. manufacturing capacity expansion through 2035 and launching research initiatives to develop next-generation memory technologies. Bank of America analysts project Micron's EPS could reach $230 by 2030, potentially driving stock prices to $2,550-$3,910 by 2031, representing up to 271% upside from current levels.

09/30/2026, 11:18 AM • The Motley Fool

Did You Miss Out on Nvidia and Micron Technology? This Super Semiconductor Stock Could Soar Over the Next Few Years.

Cohu, a semiconductor testing and inspection equipment supplier, is positioned to benefit significantly from the AI data center boom. The company supplies critical quality control machines to major chip manufacturers and has an expanding $850 million sales pipeline in the AI segment. With projected 35% revenue growth to $612 million in 2026 and potential earnings doubling to $1.85 per share in 2027, analysts suggest the stock could deliver strong returns despite its current premium valuation.

09/30/2026, 11:09 AM • The Motley Fool

I've Changed My Mind on Nebius Stock. The AI Supercycle Has Room for More Than Just Hyperscalers.

Nebius Group is positioning itself as a key AI infrastructure provider beyond hyperscalers, signing major contracts including a $27 billion potential deal with Meta and a $2 billion investment from Nvidia. The company is expanding capacity in the U.S. and U.K., and shifting focus toward inference, agentic AI, and enterprise applications as the AI supercycle evolves.

09/30/2026, 10:16 AM • The Motley Fool

Cathie Wood Goes Bargain Hunting: 3 Stocks She Just Bought

Cathie Wood's Ark Invest added to positions in Nvidia, SpaceX, and Airbnb on Tuesday. Nvidia announced a record $150 billion share buyback authorization and trades near all-time highs with a forward P/E of 14.5x. SpaceX, down 34% from recent highs, is expected to turn profitable next year with revenue expected to more than double by 2027. Airbnb, down from its peak but showing strong double-digit revenue growth for six consecutive years, continues to demonstrate solid momentum.

09/30/2026, 9:05 AM • The Motley Fool

AI Stocks Are Creating a Sneaky Risk for S&P 500 Investors, and History Is Flashing a Warning Signal

The S&P 500's top 10 stocks now account for 39% of the index's value, with nearly all heavily focused on AI development. This concentration mirrors the dot-com bubble of 2000, raising concerns about market vulnerability. While AI companies have spent over $300 billion on data centers, Goldman Sachs warns they need $1 trillion in annual AI revenue for healthy profits. Despite historical parallels and elevated valuations, long-term investors are advised to stay invested as the market has recovered from past downturns.

09/30/2026, 8:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Meet the Low-Cost Vanguard ETF With 51.8% Invested in Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon While VOO Has Just 30%

The Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) offers concentrated exposure to mega-cap growth stocks, with 51.8% invested in Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Amazon compared to 30% for the S&P 500 ETF (VOO). While MGK has a slightly higher expense ratio (0.05% vs 0.03%), it provides amplified exposure to AI-driven growth opportunities. However, this concentration carries risks if mega-cap growth stocks underperform, though the article argues these companies are well-positioned to capitalize on AI investments at scale.

09/30/2026, 7:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Stock-Split Watch: Is Nebius Next?

Nebius Group stock has surged 183% in 2026, with BNP Paribas raising its price target to $399, implying 68% upside. The neocloud specialist rents AI data centers and is capitalizing on strong demand by raising prices for infrastructure services. With a $40 billion backlog and expected 2028 revenue exceeding $23 billion, management may consider a stock split to attract retail investors, though the stock trades at an expensive 46x sales valuation.

09/30/2026, 6:21 AM • The Motley Fool

Most Beginning Investors Ignore Market Cap. That's a Costly Mistake.

Beginning investors often mistake share price for a stock's true size and value, but market capitalization is the key metric to assess a company's scale and long-term potential. While market cap alone isn't sufficient for investment decisions, it provides crucial context when combined with valuation metrics like P/E and EV/EBITDA ratios. Smaller market cap stocks theoretically offer greater appreciation potential but come with higher volatility.

09/30/2026, 5:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Life Sciences Market: Trends and Forecast to 2040 | Market to Reach USD 73.05 Billion at 20% CAGR as Drug Discovery and Precision Medicine Scale

The global AI in life sciences market is projected to expand from USD 5.69 billion in 2026 to USD 73.05 billion by 2040, driven by accelerating drug discovery, precision medicine adoption, and clinical trial optimization. AI technologies including machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing are enabling faster R&D, reduced costs, and improved diagnostic accuracy. However, challenges include high development costs, data privacy concerns, AI bias, and regulatory validation requirements.

09/30/2026, 4:53 AM • GlobeNewswire