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Tech-heavy Nasdaq Hits Two-Week Low; Nvidia, ASML Drop 4-8% Amid Stricter US Trade Curbs Outlook

Nvidia declined over four percent and ASML Holding NV crashed eight percent, even after the Dutch company reported strong orders in the second quarter.

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US tech stocks fell from all-time highs as concern over stricter US restrictions on global chip sales to China spurred a rout (Image: Pixabay)

US technology and semiconductor stocks faced a significant decline from their record highs on Wednesday, July 17, driven by concerns over tighter restrictions on global chip sales to China. The Nasdaq, known for its tech-heavy composition, fell nearly 2%, reaching a two-week low. The S&P 500 also experienced losses as major tech and chip stocks came under pressure from potential sanctions on companies that allow China access to advanced semiconductor technology.

Key Points:

Nvidia Corp.: Dropped over 4%

ASML Holding NV: Plummeted 8%, despite strong Q2 orders

VanEck Semiconductor ETF: Fell by 4%

Other Chipmakers: Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Broadcom Inc., Marvell Technology, Qualcomm, Micron Technology, and Arm Holdings each fell over 5%

“Magnificent Seven” Megacap Stocks: Apple, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Tesla all declined between 1.2% and 2.7%

S&P 500 Tech Index: Led sectoral losses with a 2.7% drop

Energy Sector: Emerged as the top gainer, rising 1.3% – Russell 2000 Index: Slipped 0.2% after a strong rally in the last five sessions

– Dow Jones: Maintained some stability with Johnson & Johnson up 2.7% and Intel gaining 3%

Market Analysis

The market’s sensitivity to semiconductor supply chain disruptions is evident in the tech sector’s recent underperformance. Despite a strong first half of 2024, driven by major tech companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Alphabet, the outlook for the rest of the year appears more challenging. Analysts from Citigroup Inc. have advised investors to consider taking profits in high-flying AI stocks and diversify into a broader range of AI-related stocks.

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Investor Strategies

Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, highlighted that tech companies, which are highly dependent on semiconductors, might face squeezed profit margins due to rising input costs. This could result in lower stock prices and increased market volatility. Investors will likely seek safer assets such as bonds and gold, exacerbating market fluctuations.

To navigate these uncertainties, investors should:

Diversify: Spread investments across asset classes and geographies to minimize sector-specific risks.

Focus on Strong Companies: Prioritize companies with robust balance sheets and effective supply chain management to buffer against market instability.

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So

The significance of semiconductors to the global economy cannot be overstated. Investors must adopt proactive measures sooner rather than later to manage risks and mitigate potential impacts on their portfolios.

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