S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq Decline Amid Rising Geopolitical Risks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 14 2026
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Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Market Weakness: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.96% and 1.53%, respectively, hitting one-week lows primarily due to weakness in chipmakers and tech stocks, indicating growing concerns about the economic outlook.
- Rising Geopolitical Risks: Heightened tensions regarding the U.S. response to the situation in Iran have led to increased investor demand for safe-haven assets, pushing WTI crude oil to a 2.5-month high and driving precious metals prices up significantly.
- Strong Economic Data: U.S. November retail sales rose by 0.6% month-over-month, exceeding expectations of 0.5%, while the November Producer Price Index increased by 3.0% year-over-year, demonstrating economic resilience that may influence the Fed's interest rate decisions.
- Tech Stocks Under Pressure: The Magnificent Seven tech stocks, including Nvidia, Amazon, and Tesla, saw declines of over 2%, reflecting market concerns about high valuations in the tech sector, which could impact overall market sentiment.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
