As tech swoon roils market, US inflation data on tap
U.S. investors are bracing for a turbulent week as the stock market struggles amid deepening concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) and inflation. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell nearly 12% from its October 6 record high, surpassing the 10% correction threshold and sparking unease about the AI data-center buildout, which could be affected by Democrats' recent gains in the U.S. midterm elections.
Inflation data, particularly the monthly consumer price index report, will be released on Tuesday, likely to be the most closely watched economic indicator. Additionally, tech companies such as CoreWeave, Applied Materials, and Cisco Systems are set to report earnings. Tech stocks led a modest rebound on Friday, but major indexes still posted weekly losses, leaving investors uneasy.
Marvin Loh, a senior global macro strategist at State Street, noted that the market's volatility is compounded by regulatory and political uncertainty. Democrats' control of Congress and their wins in data-center-heavy states have fueled public backlash over environmental and other concerns surrounding data center expansion.
On Thursday, broad equity declines were observed across all S&P 500 sectors, with the most acute impact on AI and tech stocks. The S&P 500 tech sector fell 7.3%, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor index tumbled over 12%, marking the largest one-day drop in over six years. Despite the market's recent setbacks, the S&P 500 remains up nearly 8% for the year.
Investors are grappling with a variety of factors, including the possibility of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates in December to combat inflation. The upcoming CPI report will provide valuable insights into the Fed's rate path into 2027, with expectations of about two more 25-basis-point increases this cycle. If the inflationary environment accelerates, this could add further pressure on investors.
As corporate results continue to be released, the market's direction remains uncertain. Some investors hold a cautiously optimistic view regarding CoreWeave's ability to overcome financing challenges for AI projects, which may help alleviate some concerns surrounding the AI trade.
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