Salesforce.com IncBetter-than-expected quarterly results.
Moderna led the S&P 500 in August after reporting promising results from a late-stage trial of a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine co-developed with Merck, according to CNBC. The data challenged years of skepticism about the company's mRNA technology following the decline of its Covid-19 vaccine business. Enterprise software stocks accounted for many of the index's other top performers, including Palantir, Veeva Systems, Salesforce, and ServiceNow, which had been under selling pressure due to AI concerns and large short positions held by the leveraged hedge fund Situational Awareness. When the fund was forced to unwind its trades in late July, those shorts became a tailwind for the stocks. Situational Awareness, run by Leopold Aschenbrenner, peaked at $45 billion in assets and lost roughly $35 billion after margin calls from prime brokers Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase forced a distressed sale to Ken Griffin's Citadel. Salesforce bounced back after better-than-expected quarterly results, while ServiceNow gained on AI integration, and Veeva Systems climbed as the anticipated AI threat failed to materialize. Outside software, Newmont benefited from gold price recovery, Coinbase rose with cryptocurrencies, and Super Micro Computer and Sandisk surged on AI memory demand. Moderna also raised $2 billion through convertible senior notes due 2032, earmarked for its cancer vaccine business, after its stock surged 177% on Aug. 19, adding $44.5 billion to its market capitalization in a single session.
Salesforce.com IncBetter-than-expected quarterly results.
ServiceNow IncGained on AI integration.
Super Micro Computer IncSuper Micro Computer surged on AI memory demand, indicating strong demand for its servers.
Palantir Technologies Inc.Benefited from short squeeze as hedge fund unwound positions, but no company-specific driver.
Adobe Systems Incorporated
Moderna IncPromising late-stage trial results for personalized mRNA cancer vaccine co-developed with Merck.
Merck & Company IncCo-developed cancer vaccine showing promising trial results.
Coinbase Global IncCoinbase rose with cryptocurrencies, indicating increased trading activity and demand for its services.
JPMorgan Chase & Co
Newmont Goldcorp CorpNewmont benefited from gold price recovery, which boosts demand for gold and thus its revenue.
Merck KGaA
Bank of America Corp
Goldman Sachs Group Inc
Veeva Systems Inc Class AVeeva climbed as the anticipated AI threat failed to materialize, indicating sustained demand for its software.
Sandisk CorpSandisk surged on AI memory demand, indicating strong demand for its storage products.