US markets settle lower on Wednesday

08 Aug 2024 Evaluate

The US markets settled lower on Wednesday as concerns about the outlook for the U.S. economy continued to hang over the markets. However, markets initially continued to benefit from bargain hunting, as traders picked up stocks at relatively reduced levels following the recent sell-off. Among individual stocks, shares of Super Micro Computer (SMCI) plunged by 20.1 percent after the technology company reported weaker than expected fiscal fourth quarter earnings. Disney (DIS) also showed a significant move to the downside even though the entertainment giant reported better than expected fiscal third quarter earnings. Meanwhile, grocery delivery company Instacart (CART) surged after reporting second quarter results that exceeded Street estimates on both the top and bottom lines.

On the sectorial front, gold stocks moved sharply lower over the course of the session, dragging the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index down by 3.2 percent to its lowest closing level in a month. The weakness among gold stocks came despite a modest increase by the price of the precious metal. Substantial weakness also emerged among semiconductor stocks, as reflected by the 3.1 percent slump by the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index. Computer hardware stocks also showed a considerable move to the downside on the day, with the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index tumbling by 2.8 percent. Housing, airline and pharmaceutical stocks also showed notable moves to the downside, while significant strength remained visible among telecom stocks.

Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 234.21 points or 0.6 percent to 38,763.45, Nasdaq dropped 171.05 points or 1.05 percent to 16,195.81 and S&P 500 was down by 40.53 points or 0.77 percent to 5,199.5.  


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