DJIA Stocks to Watch Today: Nvidia & AI Stocks Surges

Today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) recovered from a choppy session yesterday. Major technology stocks helped it rebound, and the index rose 136.77 points (0.31%) to finish at 44,850.35. As good as they think it is, the Chinese AI model, DeepSeek, has shaken things up, stirring fears of what’s to come of AI investments at big US firms. However, investors got some relief as a host of blue chip stocks moved up sharply.

In addition to the movement in the stock, macroeconomic factors such as Fed interest rate decisions and Global AI competition are also pulling investors’ sentiment.

1. Nvidia (NVDA) – Recovering from a Historic Selloff

The market attention that Nvidia has garnered since Monday, when the stock fell 17 per cent, wiping $600bn in value off its market capitalization, is the biggest single day in market history. That was to blame for the decline as it was concerned about how the DeepSeek AI model spearheading Nvidia’s hegemony in the AI chip industry is posing a threat of decline.

But Nvidia’s share price was up 8.9 per cent today, a sign that stock market confidence is being rekindled. That rebound suggests the semiconductor industry is far from the end and Nvidia is a key player on the horizon. Analysts are glued to Nvidia’s earnings report, which is fast approaching, and any strategies the company could employ to fight off growing competition.

2. Apple (AAPL) – Riding the AI Wave

Both the broader tech selloff and Apple’s share prices had curbed love last week, but today they recovered, with shares in the company up 3.7%. The company’s hot take is that they have no interest in AI or they wouldn’t have pushed so hard into the space in recent memory. Compared to Microsoft or Google, Apple hasn’t been as aggressive with AI software itself, but with the hardware it controls, it’s a massive player in the AI by now.

Apple’s strong iPhone sales in China have thus also helped lift its stock. Though regulatory challenges and increasing competition were still in question, the company maintained its solid presence in the DJIA. Investors will be looking for more clues into Apple’s AI and hardware strategies next week when the tech giant reports quarterly earnings.

3. Microsoft (MSFT) – AI Investments Under Scrutiny

Microsoft had a bad week earlier this week, shares rose 2.9% today. As a partner with OpenAI, the company has played a major role in investing heavily in AI and is now positioned to be a leader when it comes to an AI-driven future. The arrival of DeepSeek, however, propelled questions over whether the investments being made by U.S. tech giants, on AI, are too high priced versus cheaper options.

However, Microsoft’s successes in the strong enterprise cloud business and continuing AI advancement should put it in a good place. Probably, investors are looking for Microsoft’s progress in monetizing its AI strategies, both in its Azure cloud business and enterprise software products.

4. Overcoming Industry Challenges with Boeing (BA)

The positive news in the aviation industry helped Boeing stock advance 1.5% on Thursday. Its safety concerns, regulatory scrutiny and supply chain disruptions had left the company in the red. But about the time air travel demand is bouncing back post-pandemic, investor attention is on Boeing again.

The company still faces operational challenges as well as competition from Airbus however, Boeing’s stock remains volatile. Investors will wait until updates on new aircraft orders, safety investigations and delivery timelines to learn why the company could be a near-term growth stock.

5. General Motors (GM) – Facing Headwinds in the Auto Sector

Last Friday, General Motors (GM), one of the big losers in the DJIA stock, tumbled 8.9 per cent on earnings that were missed and concerns of the slowdown of the electric vehicle (EV) market. The company, however, has struggled to compete on the back of rising production costs, supply chain constraints and competition from Tesla and Chinese automakers.

At the same time, GM’s stock is being pressured by uncertainty over U.S. government policies to help drive EV sales. The company’s shift to an all-electric future has spooked investors concerned that GM can’t pull off profitability with a rougher wider economic environment.

Macroeconomic Factors Affecting DJIA Stocks

Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Decision

As would be expected, the Federal Reserve is widely expected to maintain interest rates in its upcoming meeting. However, investors are looking very closely at the central bank’s forward guidance for when they expect monetary policy to switch tracks in 2025.

In higher interest rate environments, growth stocks of the technology sector receive a blow in general. If, however, the Fed hints at rate cuts later in the year, that could be a welcome shot in the arm for tech-heavy DJIA members like Microsoft and Apple.

The DeepSeek Effect – AI Competition from China

The recent rise of DeepSeek, a low cost AI model from China, is one of the key factors influencing the DJIA stocks today. Only, the model has also drawn some concerns that the pursuit of AI investments by U.S. tech giants may end up unreasonably costly and unproductive versus Chinese counterparts.

In particular, Nvidia, Microsoft and other AI-related tech stocks took a hit with this development. Today, these companies rebounded, but longer-term questions about the AI race and whether U.S. firms can keep pace still linger.

Market Sentiment and Investor Reactions

Some investors have been gleefully calling the AI selloff overreaction, while others have eyed the pullback as a signal things are about to get worse for the tech sector.

Key trends to watch include:

  • Major DJIA company’s earnings reports.
  • AI-related announcements from Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple.
  • Equity market impact of interest rate decisions.
  • Stocks to Watch in the Coming Days – Conclusion
  • For the DJIA, today’s session of volatility, based on AI fears, was resilient.

Conclusion – Stocks to Watch in the Coming Days

Today’s session of volatility, driven by AI fears, proved to be resilient for the DJIA. General Motors, meanwhile, continues to struggle, and stocks like Nvidia, Apple and Microsoft rebounded.

Investors should pay attention to what happens as the market digests the impact of DeepSeek’s AI progress, as major tech companies adapt. Also, the coming earnings reports will dictate market direction and the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy.

For now, DJIA financial market speculators have more to hope and fear, namely, the hope for a big market recovery while the reality of AI competition and macroeconomic uncertainty remains.