Meta launched its AI agent Muse on September 8, which quickly reached the top of Apple's free app charts. Following the release, Meta's stock price increased by approximately 11% in a single session. The launch triggered a broader rally in the AI hardware sector, with Intel shares rising 12%, AMD 10%, and Qualcomm 9%.
The Nasdaq 100 index reached new all-time highs, recording a 22% gain for the year by mid-to-late September. This market movement follows a period where software stocks declined by more than 20% during the first quarter of 2026 as investors anticipated the impact of agentic AI on traditional business models.
Shopify announced a direct integration with Muse, allowing the AI to browse storefronts and complete purchases autonomously. Shopify shares rose 14% following the announcement. The integration serves as a template for other e-commerce platforms, payment processors, and financial institutions currently evaluating their own partnerships with Meta.
Muse functions as an agentic AI capable of performing tasks such as comparing insurance quotes, switching bank accounts, and rebooking flights. Financial services, insurance, and brokerage sectors face potential disruption as the agent reduces the effort required for users to switch between service providers.
