The stock market experienced a turbulent session on February 4, 2026, predominantly influenced by the ongoing adjustments in the technology sector and a series of mixed earnings reports. The mood reflected investor caution, particularly with anxieties over AI's impact on traditional software and tech company valuations.
On Wednesday, major US indices exhibited mixed results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained approximately 0.4%, reflecting investor rotations towards blue-chip companies. Conversely, the Nasdaq Composite dipped significantly, shedding about 1.5% as the tech-heavy index continued to struggle amidst a series of disappointing earnings from leader companies. The S&P 500 followed suit, retreating around 0.5%, indicating a broader market adjustment to ongoing tech sell-offs.
Earnings reports played a crucial role in shaping market reactions today. Alphabet, despite posting better-than-expected earnings, saw its shares plunge by 5% in after-hours trading following revelations of increased capital expenditures projected between $175 to $185 billion for 2026, compared to analyst expectations of around $120 billion. This revelation heightened investor scrutiny regarding future profitability and growth potential.
In contrast, pharma giant Eli Lilly saw a surge in its stock, jumping as much as 7% after it reported a robust profit forecast, buoyed by significant anticipated demand for its weight-loss medications. The company projected revenues for 2026 ranging between $80 billion to $83 billion, compared to the previous year's $65.2 billion.
The labor market exhibited signs of cooling, with the ADP reporting that only 22,000 jobs were added in January, substantially below the projected 45,000. This disappointing figure raised concerns about the robustness of the job market, reflecting ongoing economic challenges and underscoring the importance of the upcoming federal jobs report, delayed due to the recent government shutdown.
Amidst this landscape, healthcare and value stocks stood out positively. The healthcare sector, driven by optimistic forecasts from Eli Lilly, contrasted sharply with technology, which faced significant sell-offs. Semiconductor companies, including Advanced Micro Devices, also struggled, evidenced by AMD's steep drop of over 14% due to weakened sales expectations associated with AI market pressures.
The cryptocurrency market faced a downturn, with Bitcoin trading below $73,000 amid regulatory comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing the government's reluctance to bail out cryptocurrency ventures. This news came as Bitcoin has seen cumulative losses of about 13% within a week, adding to the pressure on associated stocks across the sector.
Investors are cautious yet hopeful as they anticipate several key earnings reports from major companies in the coming days, particularly from tech giants and healthcare firms. Market sentiment may hinge on these results, providing critical insights into growth prospects amid the ongoing shifts in consumer and market behavior.