The S&P 500 rose 0.03% to 6,915.16, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.28% to 23,501.24, aided by strong performances from tech giants like Nvidia and Microsoft. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.58% to 49,098.70, primarily due to a significant drop in Intel’s shares following its fourth-quarter earnings report.
Intel reported a challenging outlook with finished goods inventory dropping to 40% of its peak, prompting supply shortages expected in the first quarter. Despite Intel’s struggles, notable advances in stocks such as Nvidia, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and a more than 5% increase in Fortinet reflect sustained investor interest in high-quality tech and cybersecurity sectors.
Geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns are pushing investors toward safe-haven assets like gold and energy, highlighting a trend of seeking safety and diversification amidst broader market volatility.
