Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones, S&P 500 News: Tech Sector Leads Market Decline

Tech Stocks Under Pressure

Major US stock indexes declined on Friday, with technology stocks bearing the brunt of investor apprehension. Notable tech giants such as Apple and Microsoft saw their shares drop over 1%, while Amazon and Alphabet also experienced declines. Nvidia, however, stood out with a gain of more than 1%, despite recent volatility in its stock valuation.

At 15:55, the blue chip Dow is trading 38767.52, down 138.14 or -0.36%. The benchmark S&P 500 Index is at 5118.13, down 32.25 or -0.63% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite is trading 15975.53, down 153.00 or -0.95%.

Semiconductor ETF Hits Rough Patch

The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is on track for its worst performance since January, dropping nearly 3% this week. Leading the downturn are companies like Marvell, AMD, and Taiwan Semiconductor, each falling over 6%. This marks a sharp contrast to the fund’s recent trend, with Nvidia being the lone member to avoid losses.

Inflation Data Influences Fed Outlook

Investor vigilance has heightened following recent economic data, including February’s producer price index surpassing expectations. This surge in wholesaler inflation has pushed the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield significantly higher. These developments raise doubts about the Federal Reserve’s potential easing of monetary policy in light of robust economic indicators.

Fed Meeting and Market Speculation

The Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting on March 19 has sparked speculation regarding future interest rate trajectories. While fed funds futures suggest a high likelihood of unchanged rates, the focus is also on the Fed’s perspective on long-term interest rates and market stability. The ongoing discussion about whether inflation has moderated sufficiently could influence these decisions.

Market Volatility and Consumer Sentiment

As the week concludes, heightened trading volumes and price volatility are expected due to the simultaneous expiration of multiple futures and options, known as “triple witching.” Meanwhile, the latest consumer sentiment survey from the University of Michigan marginally missed expectations, reflecting a stabilized yet cautious consumer outlook.

Market Forecast: Bearish Outlook

Considering the heightened concerns around Federal Reserve policy and persistent inflationary pressures, the market outlook leans bearish in the short term. The upcoming Fed meeting and ongoing economic data will be critical in shaping investor sentiment and market direction.

Technical Analysis

The minor trend turned lower on Friday when sellers took out three minor bottoms at 18138.00, 18082.75 and 18076.25. This puts the Nasdaq-100 Index in a position to challenge the uptrending 50-day moving average at 17886.27.

Look for buyers to show up on the first test of the 50-day MA, but if it fails, look for the selling to extend into the February 21 bottom at 17623.00. This is a potential trigger point for an acceleration to the downside.