US stock markets this week: S&P 500's 9-week rally ends, falls 2.6%; Nasdaq tumbles 4.5% as tech stocks crash
π Wall Street's nine-week rally ended abruptly as technology stocks plummeted, triggering the Nasdaq's largest drop since April 2025.
π The S&P 500 fell 2.6% to close at 7,383.74, snapping its longest weekly winning streak since December 2023.
π The Nasdaq Composite tumbled 4.5%, plunging 4.77% on Friday alone to close at 28,957.60.
π¦ A stronger-than-expected US jobs report with 172,000 nonfarm payrolls reignited fears that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated.
π Bond yields rose sharply, with the 10-year Treasury climbing above 4.5% and the 30-year yield exceeding 5%.
π» Semiconductor stocks were hit hardest, with Nvidia slumping 6.2% while Intel, Micron, AMD, and Broadcom dropped between 7.9% and 13.3%.
π€ Broadcom's decline followed disappointment over its failure to raise its outlook for artificial intelligence chip demand.
π Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East complicated peace efforts after Iran reaffirmed support for Hezbollah and demanded an Israeli withdrawal.
β½ Rising oil prices due to the conflict raised fears that energy-driven inflation could spread across the broader economy.
π Investors largely viewed Friday's decline as a rotation away from richly valued technology stocks rather than a broader market panic.
π£οΈ US President Donald Trump criticized the market's reaction, arguing investors were placing too much emphasis on inflation concerns.
π The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a modest weekly loss of 1.35%, dropping 695.15 points to end at 50,866.78.
π§ Market participants are now balancing strong economic data against rising bond yields and persistent inflation pressures.
- The S&P 500's decline was viewed by many investors as a healthy rotation away from richly valued technology stocks rather than the beginning of a broader market panic.
- Despite Friday's sharp decline, Wall Street faces a delicate balancing act between strong economic data and rising bond yields, suggesting underlying economic resilience.
- US President Donald Trump criticized the market's reaction to the jobs report, arguing that investors were placing too much emphasis on inflation concerns, which could signal a shift in sentiment.
- The article notes that fighting has eased following multiple ceasefire efforts by the Trump administration, leaving markets wary but not necessarily panicked about further disruptions.
- Investors largely viewed the move as a profit-taking opportunity after a powerful multi-year rally, indicating strong prior performance rather than fundamental weakness.
- The Nasdaq Composite tumbled 4.5%, marking its largest drop since April 2025, as technology stocks led the market decline.
- Semiconductor and AI-linked companies suffered significant losses, with Nvidia dropping 6.2% and Intel, Micron Technology, AMD, and Broadcom declining between 7.9% and 13.3%.
- Broadcom's stock fell following a failure to raise its outlook for AI chip demand, indicating potential weakness in the sector's growth expectations.
- A strong US jobs report showing nonfarm payrolls increased by 172,000 in May reignited fears that the Federal Reserve might delay interest rate cuts or maintain elevated rates longer.
- Rising bond yields, with the 10-year US Treasury yield climbing above 4.5% and the 30-year yield surpassing 5%, raise concerns about higher borrowing costs impacting corporate earnings.
- Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including Iran reaffirming support for Hezbollah, have complicated peace efforts and kept oil prices elevated, adding to inflation concerns.
- Investors are reassessing valuations across the technology sector after a powerful multi-year rally, viewing the decline as a rotation away from richly valued stocks rather than a broader market panic.