Dow Dips as Semiconductors and Gold Shine in Selective Market

The US stock market showed signs of selective buying on the 18th, with semiconductor stocks and gold futures leading the charge. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped by 188 points to 53,544.15, while the Nasdaq Composite rose by 26.55 points to 26,755.71.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) was a notable exception, surging by 2.67% to 12,749.15, with continued inflows into semiconductor-related names. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 slipped by 12.75 points to 7,773.01.

In the currency market, the dollar-yen pair edged up to 159.37 yen, while the euro traded at $1.1587 against the dollar. The U.S.-Japan interest rate differential narrowed by 0.01 percentage points from the prior day to 1.79%.