U.S. stock markets closed lower on February 12, 2026, as technology shares led a broad sell-off and investors grew cautious over the potential economic impact of artificial intelligence and upcoming data on inflation. The Nasdaq fell the most, followed by notable declines in the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Markets were also influenced by recent jobs data and rate-cut expectations; stronger employment figures reduced the likelihood of near-term interest-rate cuts, prompting some investors to reassess valuations. Defensive sectors such as utilities saw modest gains as risk-off sentiment increased.
Tech stocks were particularly weak, with several major names sliding sharply — for example, Apple shares dropped significantly, contributing to the broader tech-sector weakness. This marked one of the more pronounced down days in recent weeks as AI-related uncertainty resurfaced among traders.
For the major U.S. indices on Thursday:
- Nasdaq Composite led losses with a drop of around 2 percent.
- S&P 500 declined by approximately 1.6 percent.
- Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by about 1.3 percent.
- Key stocks in technology and software sectors underperformed relative to the broader market.
Investor attention remains focused on upcoming inflation data and Federal Reserve policy decisions, with markets closely watching how economic indicators could influence future rate paths. The combination of macroeconomic signals and sector-specific concerns around AI disruption contributed to volatility and cautious trading activity.
In summary, U.S. markets faced a tech-led downturn on February 12, as concerns over AI’s economic impact and shifts in interest-rate expectations drove a retreat across major indexes. Volatility is likely to continue as traders process incoming economic data and corporate earnings.
