18 Dec 2025 – Today’s Market News – Nasdaq Slides 1.8% as AI Stocks Extend Selloff
Tech Down, Oil Steady & Markets Stay Calm
U.S. stocks fell as AI and technology shares dropped again, pushing the Nasdaq down 1.8% and the S&P 500 down 1.2%. Oil prices stayed strong, with Brent crude trading near $60 a barrel after rising on supply worries linked to Venezuela. The U.S. dollar was mostly unchanged, and market volatility increased slightly, but markets remained calm.
Today’s Snapshot
- S&P500: 6,721.43(–1.16%)
- DowJones: 47,885.97(–0.47%)
- NasdaqComposite: 22,693.32(–1.81%)
- Nikkei225: 49,045.08(–0.94%)
- HangSeng: 25,400.25(–0.27%)
- ShanghaiComposite: ~3,875.69(+0.14%)
- FTSE100: 9,774.32(+0.92%)
- DAX: 23,960.59(–0.48%)
- CAC40: ~8,095(–0.4%)
- BrentCrude: ~$60.10/bbl(+0.7%)
- WTICrude: ~$56.38/bbl(+0.8%)
- Spot Gold: ~$4,332/oz(–0.2%)
Global Markets
United States
U.S. stocks fell for a fourth straight session, led by declines in large AI and chip-related names.
- S&P 500: 6,721.43 (–1.2%) – Fell because large AI and technology stocks dropped sharply, pulling the broader market lower.
- Dow Jones: 47,885.97 (–0.47%) – Declined as industrial and consumer stocks weakened, though losses were smaller than in tech-heavy indexes.
- Nasdaq Composite: 22,693.32 (–1.81%) – Fell the most because AI and chip-related stocks sold off again, weighing heavily on technology shares.
Europe
UK stocks went up after inflation came in lower, while German and French stocks fell as technology shares stayed weak
- STOXX 600: 579.79 (flat) – Stayed unchanged as gains in UK stocks were balanced by losses in German and French stocks.
- FTSE 100: 9,774.32 (+0.92%) – Rose after UK inflation came in lower, increasing hopes for interest-rate cuts.
- DAX: 23,960.59 (–0.48%) – Fell as technology and export-heavy stocks weakened.
Asia
Asian markets leaned weaker, tracking Wall Street’s tech-led drop, while China was steadier.
- Nikkei 225: 49,045.08 (–0.94%) – Fell as technology stocks dropped, following losses in U.S. tech shares.
- Hang Seng: 25,400.25 (–0.27%) – Declined as investors sold large technology and internet stocks.
- Shanghai Composite: ~3,875.69 (+0.14%, intraday) – Rose slightly as selling pressure eased and local stocks stayed stable.
Asset-Class Highlights
Equities
- U.S. mega-cap AI/chips: Names tied to AI spending fell again (examples highlighted include Nvidia and Oracle), pulling down technology-focused stock indexes.
- UK bank stocks: UK stocks rose after inflation came in lower than expected, raising hopes that the Bank of England (BOE) may cut interest rates.
- Europe ex-UK tech: softer: European tech lagged as investors continued to question how much AI spending can keep growing.
FX
Currency markets were calm, with most moves driven by upcoming central bank decisions rather than fresh economic news.
- DXY (Dollar Index): 98.416 – Held firm as markets waited for major central-bank decisions.
- EUR/USD: 1.1739 -The euro stayed steady as investors waited for the European Central Bank’s interest-rate decision, with no major negative news from Europe today.
- GBP/USD: 1.3367 -The pound stayed weak after UK inflation came in lower than expected, increasing hopes that interest rates in the UK may be cut.
- USD/JPY: 155.76 -Investors are preparing for the Bank of Japan (BOJ) meeting, where an interest rate increase is widely expected.
Commodities
Commodity prices were mixed, with oil rising on supply concerns while precious metals stayed mostly steady.
- Brent crude: $60.10/bbl (+0.7%). Rose on supply-risk headlines tied to U.S. actions impacting Venezuelan oil flows.
- WTI crude: $56.38/bbl (+0.8%)- Followed Brent higher for the same supply-risk reason.
- Spot gold: $4,332.29/oz (–0.2%)- Prices fell a little as the dollar remained strong and investors waited for important U.S. inflation data.
- Spot silver: $66.44/oz (+0.2%)- Stayed near record highs after a strong rally this week.
Volatility & Positioning
The VIX was 17.62, showing more nerves than earlier this month, but still not a “stress” reading.
What Traders Are Watching
1. Bank of Japan decision (Fri): Markets are positioned for a rate hike, and the guidance matters as much as the move.
2. ECB and BOE decisions (Thu): BOE cut expectations strengthened after the UK inflation surprise; ECB is expected to hold.
3. U.S. inflation data: The next inflation readings — the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index — could quickly change expectations about future interest rate cuts.
4. AI sentiment check: Investors are watching to see if the fall in AI-related stocks stays limited to those companies, or if it spreads and causes selling across the whole stock market.
5. Oil supply headlines: Venezuela-related headlines are moving crude day to day.
Yesterday’s Market Recap – 17 December 2025
Wall Street fell again, with AI-linked shares leading the losses. The S&P 500 closed at 6,721.43 (–1.2%), the Dow at 47,885.97 (–0.5%), and the Nasdaq at 22,693.32 (–1.8%). Oil prices moved higher, but the tech decline outweighed gains elsewhere.
Catch up on: Markets Steady as Investors Balance Data and Central-Bank Signals
Sources
1. Reuters — Dollar broadly firm as markets brace for central bank decisions
2. Reuters — Gold steady ahead of key US inflation data; silver near record highs
3. Reuters — Stock indexes fall on AI angst while gold and silver rise with oil
4. AP News — How major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 12/17/2025
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