Nasdaq Composite closes at 25,437 after 2.86% sell-off
Published on 10/30/2026 at 22:50 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSNasdaq ends October under pressure
- The Nasdaq Composite closed at 25,437.00 on October 30, down 2.86% from the previous close of 26,184.72.
- Technology stocks led the sell-off as investors questioned whether heavy artificial-intelligence spending will generate sufficient returns.
- Intel fell 28.58% after weak fourth-quarter guidance, while Amazon faced pressure over rising AI investment and cash outflows.
- The index lost 5.30% in October, according to preliminary market data.
The Nasdaq Composite closed Friday, October 30, at 25,437.00, down 747.72 points, or 2.86%, from the previous close of 26,184.72. The calculation is based on the closing level and previous close reported in Nasdaq's official index history. The decline marked a sharp deterioration in sentiment toward large technology and growth companies on the final trading day of October.
AI spending moves back into focus
Investors reassessed the scale and profitability of artificial-intelligence investment after a series of earnings reports. Intel shares fell 28.58% after the chipmaker issued disappointing fourth-quarter guidance and pointed to continued pressure in the personal-computer market. Amazon also came under pressure after reporting weaker summer profit than expected and disclosing substantial cash spending on property and equipment, mainly for AI-related infrastructure.
According to CNN, Nvidia declined 4.2% and the monitored semiconductor index dropped 7.2%. The report said investors were increasingly demanding evidence that the large sums committed to data centers and AI systems will translate into earnings and cash flow. Alphabet's sharp decline on the previous session added to the pressure on the sector.
Broad technology weakness weighs on index
The sell-off was not limited to one company. Software, semiconductor and other AI-linked shares weakened as investors reduced exposure to businesses with high valuations or substantial capital requirements. The move reflected a more selective assessment of the AI investment cycle rather than a uniform reaction to corporate results: several companies outside the technology complex reported stronger-than-expected profits and still advanced.
The Nasdaq Composite lost 5.30% in October, according to preliminary market data reported by Morningstar. The monthly decline ended a difficult period for technology shares, with investors entering November focused on the pace of AI spending, the durability of earnings growth and the effect of interest rates on capital-intensive expansion.
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