Stock futures were little changed Monday night following a weak start to the final week of February trading.
Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 45 points, or about 0.1%. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures each edged up roughly 0.1%.
In the regular session, major indexes declined as renewed concerns about artificial intelligence disrupting multiple industries weighed on sentiment. President Donald Trump’s threat to raise global tariffs to 15%, along with ongoing U.S.–Iran tensions, also kept investors cautious.
The 30-stock Dow dropped nearly 822 points, or about 1.7%, pressured by an approximate 13% plunge in IBM shares. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 1.1%, while the S&P 500 lost about 1%, slipping into negative territory for the year.
Software names including Microsoft and CrowdStrike were among the notable laggards, alongside cybersecurity stocks and several financial sector companies.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, traders are watching a key event hosted by AI firm Anthropic, the company behind Claude. The firm is expected to unveil new products and showcase the latest features of Claude. Anticipation around potential disruption from the event contributed to Monday’s weakness in software stocks.
Investors are also awaiting consumer confidence data and Home Depot earnings on Tuesday. Later in the week, major reports from Nvidia, Salesforce, and Snowflake could drive market direction as the tech sector navigates the current pullback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were stock futures little changed despite the sell-off?
Futures stabilized as traders paused after the sharp decline, waiting for fresh catalysts like earnings reports and economic data before taking new positions.
What triggered the drop in major indexes?
Markets were pressured by renewed fears about artificial intelligence disrupting industries, tariff hike threats, and geopolitical tensions, all of which increased risk aversion.
Which stocks and sectors were hit the hardest?
Technology and software names—especially companies like Microsoft, CrowdStrike, and IBM—led the decline, along with cybersecurity and some financial stocks.
What key events should traders watch next?
Investors are focused on consumer confidence data, Home Depot earnings, and upcoming reports from Nvidia, Salesforce, and Snowflake, which could drive the next market move.
