Nasdaq Price Today: Can Tomorrow’s FOMC Minutes Trigger Rally?

The Nasdaq Composite trades at 22,368.57 as of 10:49 AM EST, down 178.10 points or 0.79% during Tuesday’s session. The index opened lower after closing at 22,546.67 in the previous session, extending a pullback that has now lasted four consecutive weeks. 

Traders continue to react to persistent weakness in technology shares as Wall Street returns from the Presidents' Day holiday.

The day’s range so far sits between 22,256.76 and 22,559.71, reflecting early volatility. Futures had already pointed to a weaker open, with Nasdaq futures down about 0.8% before the bell. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average also showed softness, though losses remain more contained outside tech.

AI Fears Weigh On Sentiment

Technology stocks remain under pressure as investors reassess the return on large artificial intelligence investments. Market analyst David Morrison at Trade Nation noted that upside momentum across major US indices has slowed since the beginning of the month, and traders turn to gold during volatility. Many large-cap technology and AI-related names have taken a hit as questions mount over spending efficiency.

Corporations have committed billions toward AI infrastructure and expansion. However, some cash-rich companies have paused share buybacks. Others have issued new equity or tapped debt markets to fund these projects. At the same time, software companies face scrutiny as investors question how AI competition could reshape existing business models.

This shift in sentiment has led the Nasdaq to log its longest losing streak since 2022. The S&P 500 has declined in four of the past five weeks, while the Dow has also retreated from early-month highs. Clearly, investors remain cautious.

Mixed Performance At The Open

At the opening bell, tech weakness pushed the Nasdaq lower, while the broader market showed mixed signals. The S&P 500 slipped roughly 0.4%, reflecting pressure across growth sectors. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which carries fewer technology names, gained about 0.3% in early trading.

This divergence highlights sector rotation rather than broad market panic. Investors appear to shift capital away from high-growth technology stocks toward more defensive or diversified holdings. Will this rotation persist through the week?

Corporate Earnings In Focus

Earnings season enters its final stretch, and several high-profile companies report results this week. Constellation Energy (CEG) attracts attention as traders assess how AI-driven electricity demand impacts the energy sector. Medtronic (MDT) and Palo Alto Networks (PANW) also release earnings Tuesday.

The spotlight falls on Walmart (WMT) later this week. The retail giant’s quarterly update marks its first earnings report since joining the trillion-dollar market cap club. Investors will look for consumer demand signals as economic uncertainty lingers.

Elsewhere, Paramount Skydance (PSKY) shares rose at the open after Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) gave the studio a week to improve its bid following a rejected offer.

Key Economic Data Ahead

Economic data could set the tone for markets in the coming sessions. Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January meeting arrive on Wednesday. Investors will search for clues on the central bank’s rate outlook as debate continues over potential cuts this year.

Source: Forex Factory

Thursday brings weekly unemployment claims, followed by a series of major releases on Friday. Markets will digest advanced fourth-quarter GDP figures, the Core PCE Price Index, and flash PMI readings for manufacturing and services.