AI-Fueled Rally Puts S&P 500 on Track for Eighth Weekly Gain

MarketsAI-Fueled Rally Puts S&P 500 on Track for Eighth Weekly GainFacebookXLinkedInEmailLinkGiftFacebookXLinkedInEmailLinkGiftGift this articleContact us:Provide news feedback or report an errorConfidential tip?Send a tip to our reportersSite feedback:Take our SurveyNew WindowFacebookXLinkedInEmailLinkGiftBy Natalia KniazhevichMay 22, 2026 at 12:38 PM UTCBookmarkSaveUS equity futures rose as investors struck an upbeat tone ahead of a long holiday weekend, with optimism fueled by hopes for resolution of hostilities in the Middle East, resilient economic data and relentless enthusiasm for artificial intelligence-linked trades. Contracts on the S&P 500 rose 0.3% at 8:30 a.m. in New York, putting the benchmark on track for an eighth straight week of gains, its longest winning streak since 2023. Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.4% as traders continued piling into AI beneficiaries and broader technology themes. The Cboe Volatility Index, or VIX, hovered near its lowest level since early February, a sign of market calm despite uncertainty around the Iran conflict.