 The core index, which removes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.6%, also down from a month ago, and marked the lowest increase since 2021. The AI craze has fueled stocks to a blockbuster first half of the year, with the S&P 500 climbing 14%. So far, NVIDIA has contributed 30% of the S&P 500's total return this year through Wednesday. The Dow down 45 points, the Nasdaq lower by 126, S&P 500 down 22.