Finance

Semiconductor and megacap technology stocks faced strong downward pressure as Wall Street expressed growing anxiety regarding massive infrastructure spending on artificial intelligence without immediate financial returns. Heavyweights like Alphabet and Tesla previously disappointed investors due to these capital expenditure concerns, and the trend continued to drag down chip-focused funds. Notably, tech companies like Intel, Sandisk, and Micron suffered sharp individual declines during the latest session.

Brent crude futures experienced a 3.9% decline to settle at $96.78 per barrel, dropping back down after spiking past the $100 threshold earlier in the week. The reduction in energy costs came following reports that Pakistan and Iran are exploring avenues for new discussions with the United States. This retreat in oil prices helped ease broader market concerns over resurgent inflation and relieved pressure on government bond yields.

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs registered $225 million in net outflows, breaking a multi-day streak of positive inflows. The sudden reversal came as rising Treasury yields and new tariff implementations heightened inflation expectations, driving institutional investors away from risk assets that do not yield interest. Despite the broader tech sector selloff and cooling institutional appetite, Bitcoin prices managed to demonstrate relative stability by holding near the $65,000 level.