The Entrepreneur Index™ Rides Netflix's Coattails to Big Stock Jump The index closed up 2.04 percent today.

By Andrew Osterland

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Chesnot | Getty Images

Technology stocks led the market higher today, with Netflix being the biggest catalyst.

The leader in the streaming video business announced price increases for new and existing subscribers, (58 million in the third quarter), in the U.S. As it has with previous price increases, the stock jumped on the news, rising 6.52 percent -- the biggest gain on the Entrepreneur Index™ today. Netflix has roughly 80 million subscribers outside the U.S. and will spend an estimated $14 billion on content worldwide this year. Its stock continues to get upgrades from Wall Street analysts and has risen 51 percent since Christmas Eve.

The rest of the tech sector jumped on for the ride. The tech-weighted Nasdaq Composite index was up 1.71 percent on the day. Alphabet Inc. (3.08 percent), Amazon.com, (3.57 percent) and Facebook, (2.45 percent) were all up smartly and Adobe Systems Inc. rose 3.33 percent. Chipmaker NVIDIA Corp. (-0.34 percent), was the only tech stock of thirteen on the Entrepreneur Index™ to fall on the day. The index closed up 2.04 percent.

The Netflix euphoria didn't completely distract investors from a very mixed bag of news that includes the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, a crushing defeat on the Brexit vote in the U.K. parliament, weak German economic data and some pessimistic comments on U.S.-China trade talks by chief U.S. negotiator Robert Lighthizer. The Dow and S&P 500 indexes were up 0.65 percent and 1.07 percent respectively.

Investors favored growth stocks today. Medical device maker Boston Scientific Corp. was up 3.99 percent while biotech firm Alexion Pharmaceuticals rose 3.82 percent. Tesla shares clawed back much of the 3.7 percent they lost yesterday after big automakers at the Detroit auto show talked about their electric vehicle ambitions. The stock was up 2.93 percent today. Restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill was also up 2.54 percent.

Ford Motor Co. potentially one of Tesla's biggest competitors, fell 1.72 percent -- the second biggest loss on the Entrepreneur Index™ today. The company is expected to announce an alliance with German carmaker Volkswagen AG sometime this week. The stock is down 34 percent in the last year.

The biggest decline on the index was suffered by Bed Bath & Beyond. The specialty retailer has been on a tear since beating low expectations for the company's outlook in an earnings release several days ago. After rising 30 percent in the last four trading sessions, the stock was down 2.15 percent today.

Other notable declines on the Entrepreneur Index™ today included retailers Gap Inc. (-1.66 percent) and Dollar Tree Inc. (-1.32 percent).

The Entrepreneur Index™ collects the top 60 publicly traded companies founded and run by entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurial spirit is a valuable asset for any business, and this index recognizes its importance, no matter how much a company has grown. These inspirational businesses can be tracked in real time on Entrepreneur.com.

Andrew Osterland is a contributing writer for CNBC.com. He specializes in capital markets, personal finance and taxes.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

This 31-Year-Old Spends 2 Hours Per Week On His $3,000-a-Month Passive Income Side Hustle: 'Trust Your Vision'

Hansel Moore's home office "wasn't cutting it" — so he found another place to be creative.

Growing a Business

The 10 Best Podcasts Every Entrepreneur Should Listen to for Growth, Strategy and Success

Unlock your potential with the 10 must-listen podcasts for entrepreneurs, offering expert insights on growth, strategy and success.

Business News

JPMorgan Is Reportedly Laying Off Around 1,000 Workers

JPMorgan is also planning job cuts in mid-March, May, June, August, and September, according to new reports.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Elon Musk's xAI Is Reportedly Set to Hire Thousands of 'AI Tutors' With Pay Up to $65 an Hour

Employees told Business Insider the company is expanding hiring soon.

Growing a Business

How to Break Free From Your Comfort Zone and Start Fueling The Growth of Your Company

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a pattern, circling the same solutions without finding your way forward? Here's how to break free from our self-imposed limitations.