U.S. stocks ended lower Tuesday as widespread losses across key sectors weighed on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.70%, closing the session at 38,370. The S&P 500 fell 0.84%, while the tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite declined by 0.91%.
Market declines were led by weakness in the telecoms, consumer goods, and healthcare sectors. Selling pressure was intensified by rising volatility, with the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) surging 13.13% to 21.62—its highest level in weeks.
Sector Snapshot:
- Healthcare: Merck & Co. (MRK) slid 3.31% to $78.28
- Consumer Goods: Nike (NKE) dropped 3.07% to $60.00
- Telecoms: 3M (MMM) lost 2.00% to close at $142.18
Despite the overall downturn, Chevron (CVX) gained 1.93% to $148.85, benefiting from a sharp rally in crude prices.
Jabil, CrowdStrike Lead S&P 500 Winners
Standout gains helped cushion some of the day’s losses. Jabil Circuit (JBL) soared 8.89% to $196.89, setting a new all-time high. CrowdStrike (CRWD) added 2.64%, ending at a record $492.03, as cybersecurity demand remains strong.
Top three S&P 500 performers:
- Jabil Circuit (JBL): +8.89% to $196.89
- Valero Energy (VLO): +2.91% to $141.77
- CrowdStrike (CRWD): +2.64% to $492.03
Meanwhile, Enphase Energy (ENPH) plunged 23.97% to $34.92, reaching a five-year low. First Solar (FSLR) also tumbled 17.89% amid broader weakness in the renewable energy space.
Nasdaq Hit by Mass Declines, Biotech Outliers Shine
On the Nasdaq, declining stocks outnumbered advancers by a margin of nearly 2.5 to 1. A total of 2,340 stocks declined, while only 985 posted gains.
Still, a few biotech firms saw eye-popping gains:
- Sensei Biotherapeutics (SNSE): +1,909.20% to $6.55
- CERo Therapeutics (CERO): +191.62% to $19.83
- Acurx Pharmaceuticals (ACXP): +164.77% to $0.81
However, solar and battery technology stocks plummeted:
- Stardust Power (SDST): -52.64% to $0.18
- Sunrun Inc (RUN): -40.04% to $5.78
- SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG): -33.44% to $15.96
Crude oil prices offered some counterbalance. WTI crude for August delivery rose 4.34% to $73.30 per barrel, while Brent climbed 4.44% to $76.48.