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Wall Street tumbles to worst day since June: 5 key points amid tech sell-off

The Nasdaq Composite fell 2.86% to close at 25,437.00. The S&P 500 lost 1.84% to finish at 7,578.48, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.10%.

Published on: Oct 31, 2026, 02:13:25 IST
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US stocks ended sharply lower on Friday, as a sell-off in technology shares dragged major indexes to their biggest daily losses since June.

Intel was among the biggest losers, with its shares plunging nearly 30%. (UnSplash)
Intel was among the biggest losers, with its shares plunging nearly 30%. (UnSplash)

Nasdaq, S&P 500 and Dow Jones extend losses

The Nasdaq Composite fell 2.86% to close at 25,437.00. The S&P 500 lost 1.84% to finish at 7,578.48, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.10% to 51,766.87. During the session, losses were even steeper, with the Nasdaq Composite falling as much as 3.5% and the S&P 500 declining more than 2%. The Nasdaq 100 also dropped around 3.5% to 4%.

Intel shares plunge nearly 30% after weak outlook

Intel was among the biggest losers, with its shares plunging nearly 30% after the company issued a weaker-than-expected revenue forecast for the fourth quarter. The chipmaker projected revenue of $15 billion to $16 billion and warned of continued challenges from weakness in the personal computer market, rising memory costs and manufacturing difficulties. The sharp decline wiped out more than $100 billion in Intel's market value.

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Amazon, Alphabet and other tech stocks slide

Amazon shares also fell around 2% as investors reacted to its higher capital spending and concerns about cash flow. The company's increased investment in AI infrastructure added to worries about the cost of expanding the technology. The pressure followed a sharp decline in Alphabet shares on Thursday, when the stock lost more than 12%.

Other major technology and semiconductor stocks, including Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom and Qualcomm, also moved lower as investors reduced their exposure to the sector.

Defensive stocks gain as market volatility rises

The sell-off extended beyond technology shares, although some defensive sectors, including consumer staples and healthcare, recorded gains. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), which measures expected market volatility, also climbed as investor concerns increased.

Also Read: Google’s $500bn bloodbath reflects the danger it faces from AI

Nasdaq heads for worst monthly performance since March 2025

The Nasdaq was heading towards its worst monthly performance since March 2025 and was trading around 8.5% below its recent record high. Cryptocurrency markets also weakened following a major cyberattack involving Binance.

Friday's losses marked the second consecutive session of declines for major US indexes.

  • Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

    Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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