US stock markets see mixed moves: Tech falls, Dow steady; investors cautious on oil

The US stock market was uneven today: the Dow Jones Industrial Average stayed near 46,702, supported by industrial, healthcare, and consumer staple companies. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 fell 14 points to 6,658, and the Nasdaq dropped about 100 points to 22,211. Small-cap companies tracked by the Russell 2000 also declined slightly by 0.34% to 2,480.62. Investors are cautious because of rising oil prices and tensions in the Middle East. West Texas Intermediate crude traded near $95 per barrel, while Brent crude remained close to $97.

Technology companies led the market decline. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 are heavy on tech stocks, which are sensitive to uncertainty. Nvidia shares fell slightly to around $182 after strong gains earlier this year. Intel rose about 1.7% on optimism over government support for chip production. Other companies had mixed results: Tesla stayed near $395, showing relative stability, while Nokia rose about 1.4%. Crypto-related MARA Holdings surged more than 12%, and electric-vehicle maker NIO climbed around 4%. Biotechnology company Immutep fell over 80%, becoming the biggest decliner today.

The VIX volatility index, often called Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” rose to 26.49. A higher VIX shows that investors expect more market swings and are buying protection against possible losses. This trend usually leads to reduced exposure to high-risk sectors, especially technology.

The S&P 500 may record its first three-week losing streak in nearly a year, down about 1.1% this week. The Dow Jones has lost roughly 1.6%, and the Nasdaq about 0.6%. Analysts say these drops are normal after a strong rally, especially in AI, semiconductors, and tech stocks. Profit-taking is helping stabilize valuations for future growth.