U.S. Markets Drop as AI Sentiment Weighs on Tech; AMD, Nasdaq Composite See Heaviest One-Day Gains

U.S. equity markets closed lower Wednesday, February 4, 2026, amid财报 digestion and anticipation of Alphabet's earnings, with investors reassessing whether AI-driven disruption could erode software sector profits. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.51% to 22,904.58, S&P 500 down 0.51% to 6,882.72, and the Dow Jones gained 0.53% to 49,501.30. Advanced Semiconductor and FANG+ indices declined sharply, with the latter down 2.44% to 14,734.66. AMD plunged 17.31% to $200.19, its worst one-day performance since 2017, while the Nasdaq Composite's -1.5% daily outsize move marked the largest one-day decline for the index this year. Sectoral breadth showed energy, materials, real estate, healthcare, and必需消费 outperforming, while technology, communications services, and non-essential consumption lagged. The ADP private payrolls report for January showed 22,000新增 jobs, below expectations of 45,000, reinforcing concerns about labor market weakness. Nonfarm payrolls, scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, have been delayed due to government shutdown aftermath. Global risk sentiment continued, with oil prices pressured by escalating U.S.-Iran tensions; gold回落 below $5,000/oz; and Bitcoin pressured following Treasury signals on crypto stability. Alphabet's pre-market results showed strong revenue and profit guidance, with capital expenditures forecast between $175B and $185B, far exceeding analyst expectations.