US equity markets closed lower on Thursday, driven by a broad-based selloff in semiconductor shares and rising investor anxiety over escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The decline marked a continuation of the pressure that has weighed on the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite in recent sessions, with the index falling 2.2% on Tuesday amid heavy selling in major artificial intelligence stocks.
Alphabet (GOOGL) was among the notable laggards, with shares dropping more than 4% following what market participants described as disappointment in the company's AI-related developments.
Alphabet (GOOGL) was among the notable laggards, with shares dropping more than 4% following what market participants described as disappointment in the company's AI-related developments.
The tech giant's decline underscored the growing scrutiny facing large-cap technology names as investors question the sustainability of the current AI investment boom.
A sharp wave of selling swept through major technology shares earlier in the week, triggering widespread doubt over the sector's near-term trajectory.
Geopolitical risks also played a significant role in the session's weakness.