U.S. Stock Market Today: Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech Stocks Slide and Investors Remain Cautious
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New York, February 3, 2026 — U.S. stock markets closed Tuesday’s trading session on a mixed note as losses in major technology stocks weighed on broader indices, while gains in industrial, consumer, and commodity-linked stocks helped limit the downside. Investor sentiment remained cautious amid earnings volatility, interest-rate concerns, and shifting sector leadership.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to end slightly higher, supported by strength in defensive and industrial stocks. In contrast, the S&P 500 slipped modestly, while the Nasdaq Composite posted sharper losses, reflecting renewed selling pressure in technology and software shares.
Technology Sector Leads Declines
Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market. Several major tech names saw notable declines as investors reacted to weak earnings guidance and concerns over slowing growth. Shares of PayPal plunged sharply after the company reported disappointing quarterly results and announced changes in top leadership. The steep fall in PayPal triggered broader weakness across the fintech and software space.
Other heavyweight tech stocks also moved lower. NVIDIA and Microsoft declined as investors locked in profits following their strong rallies in previous months. The pullback highlighted growing caution around high-valuation growth stocks, especially as borrowing costs remain elevated.
Earnings Winners Support the Market
Despite weakness in tech, several companies delivered strong earnings that lifted investor confidence. Palantir Technologies gained after reporting better-than-expected results and offering an optimistic revenue outlook, driven by continued demand for artificial intelligence and government contracts.
Consumer and healthcare stocks also outperformed. PepsiCo rose after posting solid earnings and outlining plans to adjust pricing strategies to maintain demand. Meanwhile, healthcare provider DaVita surged significantly following strong financial performance and positive forward guidance.
These gains helped offset losses in growth stocks and reinforced a broader trend of investors rotating toward companies with stable earnings and predictable cash flows.
Commodities and Safe-Haven Assets Rise
Commodities staged a strong rebound during the session. Gold prices surged sharply, marking one of their strongest daily gains in years, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid ongoing uncertainty around interest rates and global economic conditions. Silver also recorded a substantial jump, benefiting from both investment demand and industrial usage expectations.
In the bond market, U.S. Treasury yields remained relatively stable, with the 10-year yield hovering near recent levels, signaling a pause in recent volatility. Stable bond yields provided some relief to equity markets but were not enough to fully reverse tech-sector weakness.
Global and Economic Factors
Global developments also influenced trading sentiment. Optimism surrounding international trade discussions, particularly between major economies, helped support risk appetite in parts of the market. However, lingering concerns about inflation, future Federal Reserve policy decisions, and global growth prospects continued to limit upside momentum.
Investors remain focused on upcoming economic data releases and further corporate earnings reports, which are expected to provide clearer signals about the direction of the U.S. economy.
Market Outlook
Analysts expect market volatility to persist in the near term as earnings season continues and investors reassess valuations across sectors. While long-term fundamentals remain supportive, short-term market direction is likely to depend on interest-rate expectations, corporate guidance, and macroeconomic developments.
