Stock market today: S&P 500, Nasdaq set to slide deeper as tech worries keep investors on edge

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US stocks were poised for further losses on Wednesday as techs continued to struggle, with the mood muted on a pivotal day for President Trump’s tariffs and the federal shutdown.

Futures on the S&P 500 (ES=F) and Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) fell roughly 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. Contracts on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, (YM=F) which include fewer tech stocks, were little changed.

Markets are still weighed down by questions about stretched valuations for stocks behind the AI-fueled rally. On Tuesday, a sharp selloff in tech names drove a rough trading session that saw Wall Street gauges close deep in the red.

Fears of a stock bubble are beginning to mount as a global selloff in chip stocks wiped out $500 billion in value. AMD (AMD) could add more fuel to that fire, after the AI chipmaker’s earnings beat estimates but still underwhelmed, dragging the stock price lower.

Eyes are now on Qualcomm (QCOM) for more clues to the AI trade, with the chipmaker’s results slated for after market close. McDonald’s (MCD) report is another highlight on Wednesday’s docket, with Robinhood (HOOD) and Toyota (TM) also in the lineup.

Also muting the mood was the US shutdown, which is now the longest ever after entering its 36th day on Wednesday. Economic pain from the stoppage continues to mount, with the hit estimated at $15 billion a week, as Trump administration officials warn of potential “mass chaos” for air travelers.

Meanwhile, the shutdown continues to stall the release of government data on the economy, intensifying attention on private data reports. Markets will look to the ADP private payrolls report later on Wednesday for insight into the labor market, key to the Federal Reserve’s policy thinking. Updates on mortgage applications and ISM services activity are also on deck.

On the trade front, the Supreme Court begins hearing arguments on Wednesday in a case questioning Trump’s legal authority to impose his sweeping tariffs — a landmark test of presidential power. The justices’ eventual decision is likely to have significant consequences for the global economy.

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