US markets end lower amid worries of AI spending

16 Dec 2025 Evaluate

The US markets ended lower on Monday as AI spending worries continue to weigh on stocks like Broadcom (AVGO) and Oracle (ORCL). Besides, traders stayed away from any risky bets ahead of the release of some key U.S. economic data in the coming days. The monthly jobs report for November along with a report on retail sales in October are due to be released on December 16, while a report on consumer price inflation in November is scheduled to be released on December 18. The data could impact the outlook for interest rates following the Federal Reserve's monetary policy announcement on December 10. While the Fed cut rates by another quarter point, as widely expected, officials' projections showed significant differences of opinion about further rate cuts.

On the sectoral front, computer hardware stocks extended the sharp pullback seen during last Friday's session, dragging the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index down by 2.9 percent. Further, software stocks saw considerable weakness reflected by the 1.5 percent loss posted by the Dow Jones U.S. Software Index. Telecom, networking and brokerage stocks also saw notable weakness, while pharmaceutical and healthcare stocks showed strong moves to the upside.

Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 41.49 points or 0.09 percent at 48,416.56, Nasdaq slid 137.76 points or 0.59 percent to 23,057.41 and S&P 500 dipped 10.90 points or 0.16 percent to 6,816.51.

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