US equity markets posted a sharp decline on Tuesday, driven by intensifying selling pressure across the technology sector.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 395.32 points, while the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 also retreated as concerns about higher interest rates triggered a sell-off in AI and technology shares.

32% to 26,166.60, signaling that selling pressure in US equity markets has intensified with large-cap technology stocks leading the decline.

The broad-based weakness followed a session on Monday where the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.32% to 26,166.60, signaling that selling pressure in US equity markets has intensified with large-cap technology stocks leading the decline. The move reflects a repricing of risk as investors digest the implications of persistent inflation and the potential for a less accommodative monetary policy stance.

Channel NewsAsia reported that the sell-off spread from Asian markets to Wall Street, highlighting the global nature of the risk-off sentiment.

The focus on big tech companies underscores the sector's sensitivity to discount rate changes, as higher rates reduce the present value of future earnings for growth-oriented firms.

Traders are now watching for further guidance on the Federal Reserve's policy path, with any signals of prolonged higher rates likely to sustain pressure on high-multiple technology valuations.

The market's reaction suggests that the narrative around AI-driven growth is being tempered by macroeconomic realities.