The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq ended Tuesday’s trading session lower as unexpectedly high inflation data, coupled with ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions, spurred investors to lock in profits from a lucrative first-quarter earnings season.
Tech stocks were the main laggard, dragging the Nasdaq down, whereas healthcare shares surged, bolstered by Humana, keeping the Dow in positive territory. Despite the decline, both indices remain near record highs.
As the earnings season concludes, investor attention pivots toward valuation, economic indicators, and geopolitical developments, with ongoing concerns over interest rate hikes and global conflicts influencing market sentiment.
(With inputs from agencies.)