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Intel’s Weak Earnings Put Futures on Ice After a Choppy Week

U.S. stock futures lost momentum Friday morning as Wall Street tried to steady itself after several days of sharp swings. Dow futures slipped, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures hovered slightly lower, signaling a cautious start to the trading day. The hesitation came largely from Intel’s disappointing earnings report. The chipmaker’s results and weaker outlook weighed heavily on tech sentiment, sending its shares sharply lower in pre‑market trading. Investors had hoped for stronger numbers given the industry’s AI‑driven momentum, but Intel’s update suggested ongoing challenges in key segments like data‑center chips. The broader market has been wrestling with volatility all week, driven by shifting economic expectations and uneven corporate results. With the S&P 500 on track for another weekly decline, traders appear reluctant to make big moves until they see clearer signs of stability.

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Tech Stocks Decline Amid “Triple Witching” and Nvidia’s Rebalance


The stock market experienced a pullback as tech stocks faced pressure, and a significant options expiration loomed. Here are the key points:

  1. Tech Under Pressure:

    • Tech stocks, including megacap companies, declined.
    • Nvidia Corp. led the losses in this segment.
  2. Triple Witching:

    • Wall Street faced a quarterly event known as “triple witching.”
    • Derivatives contracts tied to stocks, index options, and futures were set to mature.
    • About $5.5 trillion in contracts were expiring, compelling traders to adjust positions.
  3. Volatility and Vulnerability:

    • Short interest in major equity ETFs hit record lows.
    • Lack of bearish investors signaled vulnerability to negative news.
    • Implied volatility on S&P 500 options remained low.
  4. Nvidia’s Rebalance:

    • Nvidia’s sharp rally prompted the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) to rebalance.
    • Over $10 billion of Nvidia shares were acquired, while Apple’s weight was significantly reduced.
  5. AI Frenzy and Inflows:

    • Nvidia’s AI-related surge made it briefly the world’s most valuable company.
    • Record inflows flowed into tech funds, driven by the ongoing artificial intelligence frenzy.

In summary, tech stocks faced headwinds, and market participants closely watched Nvidia’s earnings and rebalancing dynamics. The landscape remains dynamic, with implications for investors and traders alike.


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