Trending Sectors | Tech Surges, AI & Semiconductors Struggle, Weight-Loss Drugs Gain, EVs & Crypto Mixed

【Major U.S. Stock Indices】

On July 22, Tuesday, Eastern Time, major U.S. stock indices showed mixed results. The S&P 500 index rose slightly by 0.06%, closing at 6309.62 points, indicating overall market caution; the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.40%, closing at 44502.44 points, benefiting from the performance of some traditional large-cap stocks; however, the Nasdaq Composite Index fell by 0.39%, closing at 20892.69 points, pressured by the weakness in tech stocks. Overall, market sentiment is complex, with investors holding differing views on the prospects of various sectors.

【Performance of Leading Tech】

Among the seven major tech giants, Microsoft remained flat, Apple rose by 0.62%, Amazon surged by 1.40%, Google A jumped by 2.72%, Meta increased by 1.23%, while Tesla and NVIDIA fell by 0.35% and 0.60%, respectively. Google's strong performance might be linked to its expanding advertising and cloud computing businesses, while Amazon's gains could be due to growth expectations in e-commerce and cloud services. Apple continues to benefit from its robust ecosystem and anticipation of new product releases. Tesla's decline may relate to intensified competition in the electric vehicle market, and NVIDIA's drop reflects concerns over its high valuation.

【AI and Semiconductor Sector】

In the AI sector, NVIDIA declined for two consecutive days, with a 0.60% drop today, reducing its market cap to $4.08 trillion. Related stocks such as SMCI and Micron Technology also performed poorly, dropping by 0.52% and 1.01%, respectively. The standout performer was Arm Holdings, which rose by 3.30%, possibly driven by its innovations in chip design. In the chip manufacturing sector, TSMC fell by 0.64%, while Intel rose by 0.69%, reflecting varied market confidence in different chip manufacturers. In the chip equipment and materials sector, ASML declined by 2.03%, whereas Applied Materials and Lam Research increased by 1.14% and 1.07%, indicating differing expectations for chip equipment demand.

【Weight-Loss Drug Stocks】

Weight-loss drug stocks performed strongly overall, with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca, Amgen, GlaxoSmithKline, and Viking Therapeutics all recording gains. Amgen, in particular, rose by 3.32%, possibly related to its breakthrough progress in the biopharmaceutical field. As global attention to health and weight management increases, companies in this sector may see more investment opportunities.

【Electric Vehicle Sector】

The electric vehicle sector showed mixed performance, with Tesla declining by 0.35%, but traditional automakers like Ford and Toyota rising by 1.34% and 0.82%, respectively. Among domestic new forces, Li Auto and NIO showed different results. Tesla's decline could be linked to concerns about slowing growth in the Chinese market, while the rise of traditional automakers reflects market confidence in their electrification transition.

【Oil and Gold Stocks】

In the oil sector, ExxonMobil edged up by 0.26%, while Occidental Petroleum and Chevron fell by 1.42% and 0.24%, respectively, indicating differing investor views on the future of oil prices. Gold stocks were also mixed, with Newmont and Franco-Nevada rising by 2.87% and 0.97%, while Barrick Gold fell by 2.78%. Gold price fluctuations may be influenced by global economic uncertainty and inflation expectations.

【Cryptocurrency Stocks】

Cryptocurrency stocks showed mixed results, with MicroStrategy rising by 0.72%, while Coinbase Global and MARA Holdings fell by 1.47% and 3.49%, respectively. This may reflect different market reactions to Bitcoin price volatility and concerns about cryptocurrency regulation.

【Other Noteworthy Sectors】

In retail stocks, Costco and Target performed poorly, while Walmart and Home Depot recorded gains. Bank stocks were generally under pressure, with major banks like JPMorgan and Citigroup experiencing varying degrees of decline. This may be related to concerns about interest rate policy and economic prospects. In vaccine stocks, Novavax stood out with a 2.43% increase, possibly driven by progress in its new vaccine development.

【Market Summary and Advice】

Overall, the U.S. stock market showed mixed performance, with varied trends across sectors. Investors should remain cautious in the current market environment, be wary of high-valuation tech stocks, and pay attention to policy changes affecting the financial and energy sectors. Additionally, with ongoing economic recovery and a trend toward healthy living, weight-loss drugs and biotech stocks may offer good investment opportunities. It is advised that investors maintain diversification in their asset allocation to guard against risks in single industries.