Wall Street ends mixed as tech stocks slip on Fed rate and AI concerns

U.S. equity markets closed without a clear direction on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.35 % to 51,848.9 points, while the S&P 500 fell 0.10 % to 7,358.2 and the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.43 % to 25,476.6. The move was driven by renewed worries that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates high longer than expected, pressuring technology firms that finance artificial‑intelligence projects with debt. Investors awaited Micron Technology’s quarterly results, viewing the chip maker as a barometer for AI‑related demand. Semiconductor stocks, including Micron, Sandisk, Intel and Nvidia, all posted declines. Oil prices fell sharply, with Brent crude trading around $73 a barrel, easing inflation concerns. Analysts noted that higher‑rate expectations have dampened risk appetite, especially for AI‑heavy valuations, while the Dow’s modest gain reflects a shift toward more defensive sectors such as industrials and financials.