Stocks to Watch Today, September 1: Tesla Surges, Nvidia Makes a New AI Bet as Oil Tops $90

Tesla, Nvidia and U.S. oil stocks are at the center of Wall Street’s attention Tuesday after a sharp jump in crude prices, a new Nvidia investment and a powerful Tesla rally gave investors several fresh reasons to watch individual stocks as September begins.

The backdrop is less comfortable for the wider market. U.S. stocks closed lower Monday as renewed U.S.-Iran fighting pushed oil higher and added to inflation fears. The move came just weeks before the Federal Reserve’s September 15-16 policy meeting.

Monday’s key moves were:

• S&P 500: down 0.36%
• Nasdaq Composite: down 0.16%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: down 0.71%
• Brent crude: up $2.39 to $90.49 a barrel
• West Texas Intermediate crude: up $2.36 to $85.76 a barrel

Tesla is one of the clearest stocks to watch. Shares jumped about 5.5% Monday, making Tesla the top performer in the S&P 500, as investors responded to fresh excitement around the company’s self-driving technology.

The rally puts Tesla’s autonomy story back in focus. Investors have increasingly treated self-driving technology and robotaxis as major parts of the company’s future rather than judging Tesla only by vehicle sales.

Still, the car business remains important. Tesla said it delivered 480,126 vehicles during the second quarter, compared with 358,023 in the first quarter. Its official delivery report also showed 13.5 gigawatt-hours of energy-storage deployments during the quarter.

Investors following Tesla shares should therefore watch whether the new self-driving enthusiasm can hold after Monday’s large gain. Tax issues can also matter for stock compensation holders who relocate between states, as Investozora previously explained in its RSU tax guide.

Nvidia is another major name in focus. Shares gained about 1.4% Monday, according to Barron’s, extending attention around the AI leader after its latest earnings.

Nvidia reported second-quarter fiscal 2027 revenue of $96.2 billion, up 106% from a year earlier. Data-center revenue reached $89 billion, up 117%. The company’s official Nvidia results underline how strongly AI infrastructure spending is still driving its business.

Then came another catalyst Monday: Nvidia agreed to invest $3.5 billion in Taiwan chipmaker MediaTek through convertible bonds, deepening a partnership that includes AI computing, PCs and automotive technology.

That makes Nvidia important not just as a chip stock but as a gauge of whether Wall Street’s AI trade can keep expanding. Investozora recently examined the broader case in its Nvidia AI outlook and the role large technology earnings can play in a market rebound.

Oil stocks may be even more sensitive Tuesday.

Brent settled above $90 Monday after renewed U.S.-Iran attacks increased concerns about oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Energy stocks moved higher even as the broader market fell.

Among Monday’s notable moves:

• Exxon Mobil: up 2.71% to $160.95
• Chevron: up 2.12% to $206.14
• ConocoPhillips: up 1.64% to $132.49
• Valero Energy: up 1.86% to $358.92

Chevron also has a company-specific angle. Reuters reported that Chevron and several other energy companies are nearing final agreements tied to projects in Venezuela.

Refiners deserve extra attention as well. President Donald Trump is expected to host oil-industry executives Tuesday after criticizing refiners over high gasoline prices, creating another possible headline catalyst for companies including Valero and Marathon Petroleum.

For investors using companies or LLCs for trading activity, Investozora’s Texas tax guide explains a separate issue that can affect active investors.

The bigger question Tuesday is whether Tesla and Nvidia can keep their momentum while high oil prices support energy shares but increase inflation worries for the rest of the market. With the next Fed meeting scheduled for September 15-16, moves in oil, bond yields and incoming economic data could quickly change the tone on Wall Street.