It was a risk off trading day, with AI increasingly a broader market headwind. The Vix spent some time back above 20 today amid continued underperformance from the Magnificent 7 as investors scrutinize capex and shift from asset-light to asset-heavy names. The unrelenting disruption trade continued, and while software remains ground zero, the disruption has spread to CRE brokers, trucking/logistics, and a number of other areas, often without any incremental headlines or justifications.

US equities finished slightly lower after early strength faded, with large technology stocks under pressure while memory and semiconductor stocks outperformed and software weakened again on artificial intelligence disruption concerns. The January jobs report surprised to the upside. Earnings remained a major driver, with more than two-thirds of the Standard and Poor’s five hundred having reported.

US equities were mixed in Tuesday trading though stocks ended just off worst levels. Stocks were unable to hold onto earlier gains, as the market tilted defensive and rates rallied amid White House efforts to talk down Wednesday's NFP, soft December retail sales, and the latest geopolitical concerns. Financial advisory was the latest group hit by AI competition concerns, though software continued to claw back some of its recent losses.