S&P 500 gains 55 points as SpaceX revives AI trade
Published on 10/21/2026 at 22:43 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSAI earnings and labor data ahead
- The S&P 500 closed at 7,767 points on October 21, up 55 points or 0.7 percent.
- SpaceX shares rose 7 percent as earnings revived appetite for artificial intelligence stocks.
- Super Micro Computer led the S&P 500 gainers, rising 9.6 percent.
- Initial jobless claims arrive October 22, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET, with 200,000 expected.
The S&P 500 closed at 7,767 points on October 21, up 55 points or 0.7 percent. Reuters linked the advance to stronger artificial intelligence sentiment after SpaceX and Super Micro results.
Super Micro Computer was the strongest S&P 500 mover, rising 9.6 percent at the close, while AT&T fell 6.1 percent and Netflix lost 5.2 percent, according to 247WallSt. The index stood 54 points above the 7,713-point level stated in the earlier market update.
Why did the S&P 500 rise on October 21?
SpaceX shares gained 7 percent after the company posted its first profit as a public company. Super Micro also jumped more than 9 percent after forecasting quarterly revenue and profit margins above Wall Street estimates.
Reuters said information technology rose 1.3 percent. Communication services fell 1.2 percent as AT&T dropped 6.3 percent and Netflix declined 4.5 percent during afternoon trading.
S&P 500 movers show a sharp earnings split
Super Micro benefited from its stronger AI demand outlook. AT&T declined despite beating third-quarter revenue and profit estimates. Netflix fell after issuing a weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter profit forecast.
Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by 1.56 to 1 on the NYSE. The S&P 500 recorded 21 new 52-week highs and 2 new lows, Reuters reported.
What comes next for the S&P 500
- October 22, 2026, 8:30 a.m. ET: Initial jobless claims are expected at 200,000 versus 199,000 previously, according to The Closing Print.
- October 22, 2026, 8:30 a.m. ET: Procter & Gamble holds its fiscal first-quarter earnings call, according to Procter & Gamble.
- October 22, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ET: The Conference Board leading index for September is scheduled, according to The Globe and Mail.
S&P 500 price data for October 21, 2026
The S&P 500 closed at 7,767 points at 4:10 p.m. ET on October 21, 2026, according to 247WallSt. It rose 55 points or 0.7 percent from the 7,713-point close on October 20, 2026.
S&P 500 by the numbers on October 21, 2026
- Index: S&P 500
- Home exchange: NYSE and Nasdaq, United States
- Close on October 21, 2026: 7,767 points
- Change versus previous close of October 20, 2026: up 55 points (up 0.7 percent)
- Previous close: 7,713 points
- Top gainer: Super Micro Computer up 9.6 percent
- Top loser: AT&T down 6.1 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 22, 2026, 8:30 a.m. ET: Initial jobless claims
