U.S. Indices Drop on AI-Driven Sell-Off: SPX -1.6%, DJI -1.3%, NASDAQ -2%

U.S. stock indices declined sharply on February 12, 2026, as investors sold off shares perceived vulnerable to pressure from AI technology. The S&P 500 fell 1.6% to 6,832.76, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.3% to 49,451.98, and the Nasdaq Composite lost 2% to 22,597.15. The Russell 2000 fell 2% to 2,615.83. Key movers included Cisco Systems, weighed on by higher-than-expected expenses, and AppLovin, pressured by ongoing AI competition concerns. Weekly and annual performance: S&P 500 -1.4% (-99.54 pts); Dow -1.3% (-663.69 pts); Nasdaq -1.9% (-434.07 pts); Russell 2000 -2% (-54.51 pts). Year-to-date: S&P 500 -0.2% (-12.74 pts); Dow +2.9% (+1,388.69 pts); Nasdaq -2.8% (-644.84 pts); Russell 2000 +5.4% (+133.92 pts). Treasury yields fell in anticipation of Friday’s U.S. consumer inflation report.