US stocks close lower as Nasdaq drops 1.5% amid tech sell‑off

The Dow Jones slipped 105 points (‑0.20%) to 52,552.97, the S&P 500 fell 38 points (‑0.51%) to 7,533.77, and the Nasdaq tumbled 387 points (‑1.47%) to 25,881.95, as tech‑sector weakness pushed the broader market lower and volatility rose to 16.73 on the VIX [1].

Tech sell‑off drives equity decline

The Nasdaq’s 1.5% drop was the steepest among the three major indices, reflecting a broader pullback in technology stocks that had previously propelled the market higher. The increase in the VIX, which jumped 6.8% to 16.73, signaled heightened investor anxiety as the market adjusted to the tech‑sector weakness. While the Dow and S&P 500 also posted modest losses, their smaller percentage declines underscore the outsized impact of tech‑heavy shares on overall market momentum.

Commodity and currency backdrop

Gold prices slipped 8.20 points (‑0.21%) to $3,983.90, and crude oil rose 0.92 points (​+1.17%) to $79.87 per barrel. These moves suggest a mixed commodities landscape, with safe‑haven demand for gold easing as equity markets fell, while oil’s modest gain reflects ongoing concerns about supply‑demand dynamics. The broader market reaction to these commodity shifts was muted compared with the pronounced equity slide.

What to watch

• Upcoming U.S. inflation data (CPI) scheduled for release later this week, which could influence further equity and bond market moves.
• The Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting, where any change in forward guidance may affect the VIX and risk‑off sentiment.
• Key support levels for the Nasdaq around 25,800, which, if breached, could trigger additional downside pressure.

The sharp Nasdaq decline highlights the market’s sensitivity to tech‑sector performance, while the rise in volatility points to lingering uncertainty. Whether upcoming macro data will reinforce the sell‑off or provide a rally catalyst remains to be seen.