Stock Market Today, Jan. 9: S&P 500 Sets New High and Intel Rallies
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By Emma Newbery – Jan 9, 2026 at 4:50PM ESTSNPINDEX: ^GSPCS&P 500 IndexMarket Cap$0.0KToday's Changeangle-down(0.65%) $44.82Current Price$6966.28Price as of January 9, 2026 at 4:51 PM ETPositive jobs data and high-profile political backing for Intel pushed major U.S. indexes toward new highs, today, Jan. 9, 2026.The S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.65%) rose 0.65% to 6,966.28, the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +0.81%) gained 0.81% to 23,671.35, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDEX: ^DJI) added 0.48% to 49,504.07 as investors embraced a soft-landing narrative.Market moversChip strength led the tape, with Intel (INTC +10.90%) rallying after positive words from Donald Trump and a stronger outlook for the AI and semiconductor cycle. Mega-cap techs such as Alphabet (GOOGL +1.02%) and Apple (AAPL +0.19%), plus AI software name Palantir Technologies (NYSE: PLTR), all gained slightly despite ongoing valuation concerns.What this means for investorsThe S&P 500 hit an intraday high today after jobs data showed the economy had added fewer jobs than expected. With a slight dip in unemployment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics report reinforced expectations that the Fed would hold rates steady this month. Indeed, CME Group FedWatch now puts the likelihood of a January rate cut at just 5%.Intel gained over 10% after a social media message from President Trump spoke of a "great meeting" with CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Yesterday's meeting in the White House boosted the chipmaker. Meanwhile, investors will be watching major banks as they report Q4 earnings next week. Starting with JPMorgan Chase (JPM 0.08%) on Tuesday, the results will give insights into consumer sentiment.Finally, today's expected Supreme Court tariff ruling was delayed until Jan. 14. Reuters reported that justices would not make a ruling on the legality of tariffs until next week.Read NextJan 9, 2026 •By Adam LevyWith the S&P 500 at an All-Time High to Start 2026, Is It Smart to Buy Stocks?Jan 9, 2026 •By David DierkingThe Stock Market Just Did Something It Hasn't Done Since 1950 -- and It's ScaryJan 9, 2026 •By Trevor JennewineThe Stock Market Flashes a Warning as Investors Get Bad News About President Trump's Tariffs.
History Says This Will Happen Next.Jan 8, 2026 •By Emma NewberyStock Market Today, Jan. 8: Defense Stocks Rally and Tech RetreatsJan 8, 2026 •By Stefon WaltersHow Likely Is It That the Stock Market Crashes in 2026? Here's What History Tells Us.Jan 8, 2026 •By Geoffrey SeilerWhile Retail Investors Are Bullish on AI Stocks, Famed Investor Warren Buffett Retired Being Bearish. Will the Stock Market Crash or Rally in 2026?About the AuthorEmma Newberry is a contributing Motley Fool cryptocurrency analyst covering digital currencies and blockchain trends. She previously wrote for Motley Fool Money (formerly The Ascent) on personal finance, investing, retirement readiness, and crypto. Earlier in her career, Emma founded an English-language newspaper in Colombia and contributed to Olympic city bid campaigns. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature with creative writing from the University of East Anglia in the UK.TMFemmanewberyStocks MentionedS&P 500 IndexSNPINDEX: ^GSPC$6966.28 (+0.01%) $+44.82NASDAQ Composite IndexNASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC$23671.35 (+0.01%) $+191.33Dow Jones Industrial AverageDJINDICES: ^DJI$49504.07 (+0.00%) $+237.96*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.Advertisement