Stock Market Midday, Oct. 8: Stocks Edge Lower on Growing AI Caution
As of 11:37 AM ET, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) is down 0.39% to 7,771, while the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) is trading 0.60% lower to 27,372, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES:^DJI) has slipped 0.40% to 50,973 as investors weigh rising energy costs and hawkish central bank signals.
Gold increased 0.09% to $4,114.73, and the 10-Year Treasury yield edged up slightly to 5.30%. Energy and consumer defensive sectors advanced while healthcare and industrials struggled relative to the broader market.
Today's biggest moves
Marathon Petroleum Corp climbed this morning after Mizuho upped its price target on the stock. Chipotle Mexican Grill is outperforming on takeover rumors. Meanwhile, Marvell Technology shares dropped as artificial intelligence (AI) stocks came under pressure. Universal Display slid following a Citi downgrade.
What this means for investors
Defensive sentiment weighed on indexes this morning as oil prices surged and Treasury yields nudged upwards. WTI crude oil increased over 5% to almost $93 a barrel. Not only do elevated energy prices fuel inflation fears, but they also increase the odds of an October rate hike, making investors more wary.
Semiconductor shares are struggling, with sector heavyweights such as Intel and Advanced Micro Devices falling. In addition to shifting sentiment, news that an Australian data center firm backed by Nvidia hadn't attracted the hoped-for support raised questions about AI funding.
Billionaire investor Ray Dalio reiterated his AI bubble warning, and he's not alone in predicting turbulence. Macquarie strategists point out that many major financial blowouts over the past 50 years have been preceded by rapid changes in bond yields.
For long-term investors, this is a time to be cautious, particularly about high-risk stocks. That doesn't mean avoiding risk altogether, but rather understanding your exposure and modeling how your portfolio might perform in various scenarios.
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Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Emma Newbery has positions in Marvell Technology and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Intel, Marvell Technology, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Universal Display and recommends the following options: short December 2026 $38 calls on Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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