Global equity markets decline amid tech sell‑off and Middle East tensions

On 17 July 2026 major equity markets fell as technology stocks came under pressure and geopolitical risk rose. In Turkey the BIST 100 index closed 1.9 % lower at 13 981.05 points, while the BIST 30 slipped 2.2 %. Heavy selling triggered circuit‑breaker halts in ten Turkish shares during the morning session.

In the United States the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.47 % to 25 881, the Dow Jones fell 0.20 % and the S&P 500 slipped 0.51 %. Chip makers such as Nvidia and Intel led the decline, reflecting renewed concerns over AI‑related valuations.

European markets also ended lower. Germany’s DAX was down about 0.35 % at 24 828 points, the Stoxx 600 fell 0.41 %, while the UK FTSE 100 rose 0.27 % on the day. The French CAC 40 lost 0.47 % and the Euro‑Stoxx 50 slipped roughly 0.8 %. The weakness was linked to semiconductor‑sector losses and heightened US‑Iran tensions, which pushed oil prices up.

The euro slipped modestly against the dollar, trading around 1.1436 USD after the European Central Bank set its reference rate at 1.1435 USD. Analysts noted that while the market has adjusted to the Iran‑related risk, the continued tension keeps risk‑aversion elevated.

Overall, the coordinated sell‑off was driven by profit‑taking in the tech sector, concerns over AI‑related valuations, and the backdrop of escalating Middle‑East conflict.