Stocks Plunge, Break Key Levels As Tech Titans Tumble

The tech-heavy Nasdaq led declines in the stock market Thursday after little change in jobless claims and stronger-than-expected economic growth. Weak earnings from chipmaker Micron Technology (MU) and meme stock AMC Entertainment‘s (AMC) capital raise also hurt stocks. Other meme stocks also fell.

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The Nasdaq composite fell 3.7% while the S&P 500 dropped 2.7%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.2%. The small-cap Russell 2000 index shed 2.7%.

The Nasdaq is at its lowest level since Nov. 4 and the S&P is at its lowest since Nov. 9. Stocks are on track for a third-straight week of weekly declines.

Volume rose on the Nasdaq but fell on the NYSE vs. the same time on Wednesday.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note was virtually unchanged, at 3.67%. Crude oil prices fell 1.6% to $77.05 per barrel.

Jobless Claims Rise As Recession Fears Increase

All 11 S&P stock market sectors lost ground Thursday. The S&P Technology Select Sector ETF (XLK) was the worst-performing sector, down 2.6%.

Initial jobless claims rose modestly to 216,000, which was below estimates for a rise to 225,000 vs. 211,000 in the prior week.

Meanwhile, the third estimate of Q3 GDP came in stronger than expected, showing growth of 3.2% vs. the second estimate’s 2.9%.

On Friday, investors will shift their attention to more inflation data, with the release of November’s personal consumption expenditures figures.

Chinese stocks initially rallied sharply Thursday, as Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged 2.7% on reports Chinese regulators will ease restrictions. China’s securities regulators have pledged to allow overseas listings by tech companies. However, stocks there reversed downside. Alibaba (BABA) fell 0.8%, while JD.com (JD) and Pinduoduo (PDD) each fell more than 1%.

In London, the FTSE fell 0.4% after the U.K. said the economy contracted more than expected in the third quarter. The German DAX fell 1.3% and the French CAC dropped 0.9%.

Amazon (AMZN) fell 5% as rising jobless claims were seen as another indicator of an upcoming recession.

Dow Jones tech leaders Apple (AAPL) and Microsoft (MSFT) also fell more than 3% each.

Stock Market Falls, Dragged Lower By Meme Stocks

The Innovator IBD 50 ETF (FFTY) dropped as much as 3% Thursday, led down by oil and chip stocks.

Shares of AMC Entertainment (AMC) plunged 15% toward 22-month lows after the movie theater operator announced a $110 million equity capital raise. The meme stock said it also was asking the company’s board of directors for a 1-for-10 reverse split of its common stock.

GameStop (GME) plunged nearly 10% Thursday in sympathy with AMC.

Micron Technology (MU) slid more than 5.3% after the memory-chip maker missed estimates for its fiscal first quarter amid a cyclical downturn. The chip industry bellwether also sharply lowered estimates for the current quarter, sending chip stocks to broad early losses.

MU shares are trading below their 50-day moving average and near their 52-week low reached on Sept. 23.

CarMax (KMX) plunged more than 6% after management said inflation and rising interest rates led to “vehicle affordability issues.” The company fell far short of third-quarter earnings estimates. The used car retailer reported earnings of 24 cents per share for the quarter ending Nov. 30. The consensus among analysts tracked by FactSet was for 65 cents.

Stock Market Movers And Shakers

Under Armour (UA) on Wednesday said Stephanie Linnartz will join the company as CEO, effective Feb. 27. Colin Browne, who has been interim president and chief executive since June, will resume his role as chief operating officer.

Linnartz becomes the clothing apparel retailer’s first female president. She currently serves as the president of Marriott International (MAR). Under Armour fell more than 3% and Marriott shares dipped 1.8%.

Tesla (TSLA) shares tumbled 10% after the company doubled discounts offered on its Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles delivered in the U.S. this month. The Tesla credits come after President Joe Biden in August signed a legislative package that includes EV tax incentives.

Airlines are canceling hundreds of flights as a severe winter storm is expected to bring freezing temperatures and snow across large swathes of the country. United Airlines (UAL), Delta Air Lines (DAL) and American Airlines (AAL) all fell between 3% and 6%.

Over 1,200 U.S. flights scheduled for Thursday had been canceled as of Wednesday afternoon, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking site.

Gilead Sciences (GILD) won Food and Drug Administration approval for a twice-a-year HIV treatment on Thursday. GILD shares fell 0.8%.

Dow Jones member Caterpillar (CAT) fell more than 3% Thursday after breaking out past a 239.95 buy point on Wednesday. Bullishly, the stock’s relative strength line, a key technical indicator, hit a new high. CAT stock shows a strong 98 out of a perfect 99 IBD Composite Rating.

Follow Michael Molinski on Twitter @IMmolinski

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