Equity valuations exhibited a subdued performance yesterday, with primary indices largely experiencing a lack of directional movement. Despite robust earnings results for the fourth quarter of 2025, market participants remained unenthused, largely due to concerns surrounding potential disruptions linked to artificial intelligence. However, all three major stock indices concluded in positive territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a decline of 0.1%, concluding the session at 49,533.19 following a volatile trading day. At its intraday peak, the blue-chip index recorded an increase of 231.44 points. At the intraday low, the blue-chip index experienced a decline exceeding 331 points. Significantly, 15 of the 30 components of the index concluded in positive territory, whereas 14 finished in the negative zone, and one remained unchanged. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite concluded at 22,578.38, reflecting a modest increase of 0.1% attributed to a rebound among major technology firms. The S&P 500 experienced a modest increase of 0.1%, concluding the session at 6,843.22. Nine of the 11 broad sectors of the market index concluded in negative territory, whereas two sectors finished in positive territory.

The Utilities Select Sector SPDR advanced by 2.8%, followed by the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR at 1.5%, the Health Care Select Sector SPDR at 1.1%, and the Materials Select Sector SPDR at 0.9%, respectively. The CBOE Volatility Index, often referred to as the fear gauge, experienced a decline of 4.3%, settling at 20.29. On Tuesday, trading volume reached 17.76 billion shares, which is below the 20-session average of 20.70 billion shares. On the NYSE, the number of advancers surpassed that of decliners, with a ratio of 1.02-to-1. On the Nasdaq, the ratio of declining issues to advancing ones stood at 1.07-to-1. Investors are shifting their focus away from technology equities amid increasing apprehensions regarding the potential drawbacks associated with artificial intelligence stocks.

On Tuesday, the selloff persisted as concerns escalated regarding the prospects of AI stocks in relation to the substantial capital invested in the sector. Certain segments of the stock market have experienced declines this year due to the introduction of AI tools that pose a risk of replicating their functions or diminishing their profit margins. Financial stocks, in particular, have been under pressure due to apprehensions that AI may adversely affect wealth management operations. Various sectors, including media, trucking, and real estate, experienced setbacks attributed to concerns over AI disruption. Prominent software developers are experiencing significant pressure due to apprehensions surrounding AI, as market participants express considerable anxiety that AI tools may supplant the industry-specific software these developers offer. CNH Industrial N.V. reported quarterly adjusted earnings of $0.19 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.11 per share. This stands in contrast to earnings of $0.15 per share from the previous year.

The company reported revenues of $5.16 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.74%. This stands in contrast to revenues of $4.88 billion from the same period last year. Krystal Biotech Inc. reported quarterly adjusted earnings of $1.70 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.62 per share. This stands in contrast to earnings of $1.52 per share from the previous year. The company reported revenues of $107.11 million, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $108.61 million. This stands in contrast to revenues of $91.14 million from the same period last year.