U.S. equity markets experienced a sharp decline on Friday, , marking a challenging week for technology stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) retreated 0.51%, [bucking the broader trend as it posted a 1% weekly gain](https://example.com/stock-market-today-dow-s-p-500-nasdaq-sink-to-cap-brutal-week-for-tech-stocks). The sell-off accelerated following mixed earnings reports from key players in the AI sector, including
(AVGO) and
(ORCL), which triggered investor concerns over valuation sustainability and margin pressures. Treasury yields rose, , reflecting shifting capital flows toward fixed-income assets.
## Earnings and Valuation Concerns
The AI-driven rally faced renewed skepticism after Broadcom reported a 10% intraday decline despite beating quarterly earnings estimates. , , highlighted growing competition in the AI hardware market. [Analysts noted that increased supply](https://example.com/wall-street-whiplash-hits-trend-chasers-in-year-of-endless-noise) could erode pricing power, reverting to traditional semiconductor dynamics.

Oracle, another tech bellwether, [fell 4.5% on Friday](https://example.com/if-google-wins-ai-race-nvidia-is-in-trouble-says-author-of-jensen-huang-biography) after missing revenue expectations, compounding worries about the sector's profitability.
## Fed Policy and Market Rotation
The Federal Reserve's third rate cut of 2025, announced earlier in the week, bolstered cyclical sectors and gold prices (GC=F), . However, the market's rotation away from growth stocks intensified as investors sought value names amid fears of a slowdown in AI adoption. The move was exacerbated by reports of delayed infrastructure projects, such as Oracle's OpenAI data centers, which were [pushed to 2028](https://example.com/attorney-general-ken-paxton-informs-texans-on-how-to-claim-funds-from-700-million-google-settlement).
## Outlook and Strategic Shifts
UBS strategists maintained a bullish stance on U.S. equities for 2026, citing resilient economic growth and AI investment as key drivers. . Meanwhile, , reflecting broader market caution. ['s reported consideration](https://example.com/stocks-retreat-as-investors-sell-tech-trump-leans-toward-warsh-or-hassett-for-next-fed-chair) of Kevin Hassett and Kevin Warsh for the next Federal Reserve chair further underscored uncertainty in monetary policy expectations.
## Sector Divergence and Regulatory Developments
While tech stocks struggled, non-tech sectors and gold benefited from the Fed's accommodative stance. Cannabis equities surged on speculation of marijuana reclassification, with Tilray (TLRY) and Canopy Growth (CGC) rising 35% and 25%, respectively. Separately, a $700 million antitrust settlement involving Google's Play Store distribution practices began distributing refunds to affected consumers via PayPal and Venmo .
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