Stocks experienced a significant decline on July 24, 2024, as disappointing earnings reports from tech giants Alphabet and Tesla sent the market into a downturn. The selloff affected major indices such as the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite.
Alphabet reported higher spending on artificial intelligence than expected during its Q2 earnings report. Despite a bottom line beat, YouTube advertising revenue fell below consensus estimates, causing shares to drop nearly 4%. Tesla missed profits and postponed the unveiling of autonomous taxis, leading to a 12% decline in shares.
The tech sector has been under scrutiny as investors weigh the potential impact of rising interest rates on high-valuation stocks. The selloff comes after a strong rally in megacap stocks that have driven the market's record run since late 2022.
Google parent Alphabet and Tesla are part of a group of seven tech companies, known as the 'magnificent seven,' which have contributed significantly to overall earnings growth and higher valuations. The underwhelming performance from these companies may indicate a potential shift in market sentiment towards value stocks or sectors less affected by interest rate hikes.
The selloff also comes ahead of earnings reports from other tech giants, including Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Apple. Investors will closely watch these reports for signs of resilience in the sector and any potential impact on the broader market.