Nvidia Hit a Record $237.88 on Oct 2, Its First Since May — Then Closed at $233.95, Below May 14's Record Close, and Lagged Its Own Sector on a Jobs-Print Rally

Nvidia shares traded as high as $237.88 on Friday, Oct 2, 2026, an intraday record and the stock's first since May 14, when it peaked at $236.54. The close was $233.95, up 1.34% on the day but 0.8% below the May 14 record close of $235.74, so the record was set on the tape, not at the bell. On 24.1 billion shares outstanding (Nvidia's 10-Q, as of Aug 21, 2026) that is about $5.7 trillion of market value at the high and $5.6 trillion at the close; $6 trillion would need $248.96. The same session was a broad rally: the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported September payrolls up 29,000 with unemployment at 4.2%, which cooled rate-hike bets and sent the Nasdaq 100 to a record close. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose 2.18%, AMD 2.95% and Broadcom 3.35%, so Nvidia lagged its own sector on the day of its record. Catalysts cited in coverage included the $150 billion buyback authorisation announced the prior week and Nvidia's final $10 billion tranche into OpenAI, but the day's move tracked the macro print and the sector. Year to date the stock is up about 25% from its $186.50 close on Dec 31, 2025, and about 23% from its July 29 low close of $190.01.