Tech Focus - February 02, 2026 (EOD)

 ## Tech Sector Wrap The tech sector experienced a volatile trading day, marked by significant movements among key players. Overall, the sector showed resilience, with some stocks bouncing back from recent declines. The broader market sentiment was influenced by ongoing discussions about monetary policy under the new Fed chair nominee, Kevin Warsh, which has kept investors on edge. The anticipation surrounding AI investments and earnings reports also fueled lively trading, particularly in semiconductor and cloud computing stocks. Of note, **$NVDA** faced pressure as concerns over its ambitious $100 billion investment in OpenAI surfaced. Despite this, companies like **$AAPL** showcased strength, driven by strong iPhone sales and positive market sentiment surrounding its AI initiatives. The mixed signals from earnings reports and macroeconomic factors contributed to a day of cautious optimism mixed with underlying anxiety about broader economic conditions. ## Magnificent 7 Performance **$NVDA** - (-2%) - Shares dipped following reports that its potential $100 billion investment in OpenAI may face internal challenges, raising doubts among investors about the sustainability of its growth trajectory. **$AAPL** - (+3%) - The stock rallied after reporting strong iPhone sales, which are expected to significantly boost holiday quarter revenues. Investor confidence was further bolstered by positive commentary on its AI initiatives. **$MSFT** - (-4%) - Microsoft shares plunged after reporting disappointing cloud revenue growth, raising concerns about its long-term growth potential amidst rising competition in the AI space. **$GOOGL** - (+1.5%) - Google's stock edged higher as it was noted that the company's AI advancements are set to maintain its competitive edge in the tech landscape. **$AMZN** - (unchanged) - Amazon held steady as the market awaited the upcoming earnings report, with speculation about its cloud computing growth keeping investor interest alive. **$META** - (+2%) - Meta's shares gained as analysts rated the stock favorably following strong user engagement metrics and promising developments in its AI capabilities. **$TSLA** - (-3%) - Tesla's stock fell sharply as concerns over declining sales figures in key markets weighed on investor sentiment, exacerbated by competition from domestic rivals in China. ## Semiconductor Recap The semiconductor sector had a mixed day, with major players reacting to ongoing market dynamics. **$NVDA** saw a 2% decline due to concerns over its investments in OpenAI. Conversely, **$AMD** rose by 1.5% as anticipation builds for its upcoming earnings, which investors expect to reflect strong demand in AI and data center markets. **$AVGO** remained stable, reflecting broader market trends, while **$INTC** gained 1% on reports of renewed interest in its AI chip development initiatives. ## Software & Cloud The software and cloud sector faced a tough day, largely driven by **$MSFT**'s disappointing earnings, which sent ripples through the industry. **$CRM** fell by 2% as investors reacted to concerns over slowing growth in subscription services. **$NOW** remained flat, while **$SNOW** saw a slight increase of 1% as its partnership with OpenAI was highlighted, reflecting strong demand for its data warehousing solutions. **$PLTR** gained 2% on positive sentiment following its strong Q4 earnings report. ## Tech After-Hours In after-hours trading, **$MSFT** continued to struggle, falling an additional 3% as investors digested its earnings report. Meanwhile, **$AAPL** saw a modest increase as positive analyst commentary about its iPhone sales and AI strategy continued to circulate. **$NVDA** also faced pressure in after-hours trading, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding its strategic investments. ## Tomorrow's Tech Watch Looking ahead, key focus will remain on earnings reports from major players, particularly **$AMZN** and **$GOOGL**, which could provide insights into trends in consumer spending and advertising revenues. Additionally, developments surrounding AI investments will be closely monitored, especially in light of **$NVDA**'s strategic positioning in the market. The tech sector's response to any macroeconomic news and monetary policy updates will also be pivotal in shaping market sentiment.