Tech Momentum Propels Nasdaq to Record Highs as AI Optimism Offsets Dow Slump

Market Performance Recap: A Tale of Two TapesOn Monday, March 23rd, 2026, the U.S. stock market exhibited a stark divergence between technology-heavy growth sectors and traditional blue-chip industrials. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) led the charge, climbing 0.7% to finish at a new record high of 16,794.87. This milestone was fueled by a continued surge in semiconductor and artificial intelligence stocks, which remain the primary engine of the current bull market.The S&P 500 (SPX) managed a modest gain of 0.1 ...