U.S. stock futures slipped on Friday as markets prepared to close out a volatile week dominated by corporate earnings disappointments and persistent geopolitical uncertainties. The decline was led by a steep drop in Intel shares after the chipmaker issued a quarterly revenue and profit forecast that fell well short of Wall Street expectations. The guidance renewed concerns about Intel’s competitiveness in the fast-growing data-center and AI chip segments, areas where rivals like Nvidia and AMD continue to expand aggressively.
Intel’s weaker outlook added pressure on the broader semiconductor sector, which has been a major driver of market gains over the past year. Investors reacted cautiously, viewing the forecast as a sign that supply constraints and shifting demand patterns may persist longer than expected. The disappointment overshadowed gains in some mega-cap tech stocks earlier in the week, underscoring the fragile sentiment in the market.
Geopolitical tensions also continued to weigh heavily on investor confidence. Rising concerns over global conflicts, trade disruptions, and energy supply risks pushed many traders toward safer assets. Gold prices surged to new record highs, reflecting the increased demand for havens amid uncertainty.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were both on track for weekly losses, indicating that investors remain sensitive to negative corporate news and global instability. Market participants are now turning their attention to upcoming earnings reports from major technology companies, which could further shape expectations for the first quarter. In addition, traders are awaiting key U.S. economic data and future signals from the Federal Reserve regarding interest rate policy, as inflation trends and growth indicators continue to influence market direction.
Overall, the combination of disappointing corporate guidance, geopolitical instability, and cautious investor positioning contributed to a subdued tone across financial markets heading into the weekend.
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