US STOCKS-S&P 500, Nasdaq futures under pressure as tech selloff continues
S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures fell as tech stocks, including Nvidia, faced pressure due to valuation concerns. Nvidia dropped 2.8% premarket despite strong earnings. Other tech stocks like AMD and Broadcom also declined. The Dow rose slightly. The Nasdaq is set for a significant November drop amid skepticism over tech prospects and rising debt. Global brokerages are divided on a December rate cut. Gap gained 2.8% after beating sales estimates. Cryptocurrency stocks fell as bitcoin and ether hit lows.
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Futures: Dow up 0.11%, S&P 500 down 0.34%, Nasdaq down 0.67%
Nov 21 (Reuters) - Futures tied to the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 fell on Friday, with most technology stocks, including Nvidia, remaining under pressure following a selloff in the previous session, as concerns over stretched valuations in the sector persisted.
Nvidia (NVDA.O) shares dropped 2.8% in premarket trading after a volatile session on Thursday when the stock swung as much as 5% higher before closing 3.2% down.
The world’s most valuable company surpassed third-quarter revenue expectations and forecast fourth-quarter sales above analysts’ estimate late on Wednesday, while its CEO dismissed concerns about an AI bubble.
“Relief around Nvidia’s results didn’t last long as investors couldn’t shake their fears that the AI boom might have gotten ahead of itself,” said Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell.
“When markets remain on a knife edge, it’s inevitable that some people will want to protect any profits by trimming positions. That selling behavior is likely to be what’s dragging down markets.”
Other chip-related stocks such as Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.O) fell 2.3%, while Broadcom (AVGO.O) was down 1.3%.
Megacap and growth stocks also fell, with Meta Platforms (META.O) down 1.1% and Microsoft (MSFT.O) losing 0.6%.
At 05:15 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis (YMcv1) were up 49 points, or 0.11%, S&P 500 E-minis (EScv1) were down 22.25 points, or 0.34%, and Nasdaq 100 E-minis (NQcv1) were down 160.5 points, or 0.67%.
All three main indexes were on track for their worst weekly drop since March, as worries over soaring valuations in high-flying technology stocks and dimming prospects of a U.S. interest rate cut in December hurt sentiment.
The Nasdaq (.IXIC) has retreated sharply from its October peak and is poised for a steep decline in November amid skepticism over tech monetization prospects, circular spending within the sector and rising debt issuance.
Consumer discretionary (.SPLRCD) and information technology (.SPLRCT) sectors are set for a more than 4% drop this week.
Global brokerages were divided over the likelihood of a December rate cut after Thursday’s release of the long-delayed September jobs report, which marks the last employment reading before the Federal Reserve’s verdict next month.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics plans to skip its October update and instead combine October and November nonfarm payroll data in a single report due mid-December.
Traders currently see nearly a 37% chance of a December rate cut, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
At least five Fed officials are slated to make public remarks through the day.
Among other stocks, Gap (GAP.N) gained 2.8% after the apparel maker beat third-quarter comparable sales and profit estimates.
Cryptocurrency and blockchain-related stocks dropped as bitcoin (BTC=) and ether (ETH=) hit multi-month lows.
Exchange operator Coinbase Global (COIN.O) fell 2.8% and Strategy (MSTR.O) , the largest corporate holder of bitcoin, slid 5.2%.
