US Stock Market Sector Analysis – Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Sectors: MIXED
A quieter end to the year left the US stock market in a defensive posture after a string of mixed macro headlines and sector rotations. The most impactful move today was weakness across the Mag 7, where the Mag 7 (AI Spenders) group fell 1.4% on the day, with NVIDIA (NVDA) down 2.3% to $134.09 and Tesla (TSLA) plunging 3.3% to $403.84, pressuring technology leadership. Energy bucked the trend as Exxon Mobil (XOM) rose 1.7% to $102.38 and Chevron (CVX) climbed 1.2% to $135.84, while defensive sectors like Utilities and Healthcare remain under pressure and triggered multiple alerts. Overall breadth favors bears: only 8 sectors were up, 11 down, and just 4 sectors are sitting above their 50-day moving averages, underscoring selective market action into year-end.
Market Condition Dashboard
US 10-Year Treasury Yield
Sell / Wait
4.58%
rising
Impact
Confidence
Crude Oil (WTI)
Neutral
$71.72
+1.0% 1D
Impact
Confidence
VIX (Fear Index)
Normal Range
17.4
-0.3% 1D
Impact
Confidence
Tracked Stocks Breadth (50DMA)
Strong Cash-Deploy Signal
35%
24 of 68 above 50DMA · -10.3pp 5D
Impact
Confidence
Put/Call Ratio (5D)
Caution
0.75
Call-Heavy · stable
Impact
Confidence
Signal analysis only — not investment advice
Sector Heatmap (1D)
Energy+1.47%
Data Center REITs+0.69%
Telecom+0.57%
Biotech+0.45%
Logistics+0.45%
Food & Restaurant+0.42%
Materials+0.35%
Defense & Aerospace+0.34%
Analog & Embedded Chips+0.04%
Finance+0.00%
Utilities-0.05%
Industrial-0.19%
IT Services-0.19%
Media & Entertainment-0.26%
Healthcare-0.31%
AI Networking & Interconnect-0.34%
Chip Equipment-0.38%
Retail-0.44%
Hospitality & Travel-0.47%
Memory & Storage-0.53%
Infrastructure-0.54%
Enterprise Software-0.71%
Airlines-0.75%
Chip Supply Chain-0.82%
AI Power & Grid-0.84%
EDA & Semiconductor IP-0.92%
Mag 7 (AI Spenders)-1.44%
Cybersecurity-1.58%
≤-3%0≥+3%
Sector Performance (Base=100)
AI and Technology Sector Analysis
AI-related positioning showed wear today as the Mag 7 (AI Spenders) average slipped 1.4% amid profit-taking after a strong multi-month run. NVIDIA (NVDA) $134.09, despite being the poster-child for GPU demand, is trading below its 50-day trend (-6.5% vs 50d), while Alphabet (GOOG) $189.45 and Amazon (AMZN) $219.39 remain above their 50-day lines, highlighting bifurcation across the stack. Investors are parsing chip supply-chain signals — Intel (INTC) $20.05 ticked higher but Chip Supply Chain sits below its 50-day — and favoring infrastructure and enterprise software names with clearer revenue visibility for AI deployments.
Enterprise Software paused, slipping 0.8% on the day but remains healthy above its 50-day average (+24.2%). CrowdStrike (CRWD) traded lower by 2.0% to $85.54 and the group's 50-day context shows strength as demand for AI-driven security persists despite short-term selling pressure. Over the 50-day window the sector has shown resilience, making Enterprise Software a relative safe-haven in the S&P 500 amid broader deceleration.
Chip Supply Chain cooled, down 1.0% today and sitting just below its 50-day average (-0.2%). ARM Holdings (ARM) led losers in the group, falling 2.0% to $123.36, while Intel (INTC) outperformed intraday, rising 1.2% to $20.05. The 50-day frame indicates a marginal underperformance, signaling that while inventory digestion continues, selective chipmakers with secular AI exposure can still find buyers.
Energy was the day’s most constructive sector, up 1.5% and outperforming with Exxon Mobil (XOM) at $102.38 (+1.7%) and Chevron (CVX) at $135.84 (+1.2%). Despite Energy trading below its 50-day (-6.4%), the short-term bid reflects stronger commodity dynamics and rotation into value-oriented cyclicals as growth names stumble. In a 50-day context, Energy’s relative weakness still advises caution, but positioning for commodity upside has tactical merit.
Cybersecurity underperformed, sliding 1.6% with CrowdStrike (CRWD) at $85.54 down 2.0%; the sector sits just above its 50-day by 0.9% but shows a 20-day decline of -6.2%. Over the 50-day window the theme has lost momentum as deal cadence and spending visibility oscillate, making security names vulnerable during broad market pullbacks despite long-term AI security spending tailwinds.
Market Breadth Analysis
US stock market breadth analysis shows 4 of 28 sectors trading above their 50-day moving average, while 24 are below. With the majority of sectors below the 50-day MA, medium-term momentum is deteriorating. The 20-day breadth shows 26 sectors in negative territory, pointing to widespread selling pressure.
Interactive Charts
S&P 500, NASDAQ 100 & Dow Jones (%)
Green shading marks breadth-below-50% regimes: BUY at the 5th session (vertical line on the fire day), STRONG at the 10th (darker). A 3rd day back above 50% ends the regime; tolerated recovery days still count toward the session total. Research display only — not investment advice.
50-Day Sector Performance
1-Day vs 5-Day Sector Change
Active Alerts
HIGHMemory & Storage down -14.8% over 20 days
HIGHEDA & Semiconductor IP down -10.4% over 20 days
HIGHHealthcare down -10.6% over 20 days
HIGHMaterials down -10.4% over 20 days
HIGHMemory & Storage down -18.9% over 50 days
HIGH13 sectors declining >5% over 20 days: Memory & Storage, EDA & Semiconductor IP, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Food & Restaurant, Cybersecurity, Chip Equipment, AI Power & Grid, Utilities, Energy, Telecom, Materials, Analog & Embedded Chips
HIGH6 sectors declining >10% over 50 days: Memory & Storage, Healthcare, Utilities, Defense & Aerospace, Materials, Analog & Embedded Chips
MEDIUMTSLA down -15.8% from 20-day high
Stock-Level Detail
Mag 7 (AI Spenders)Show individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
AAPL
$248.62
-0.7%
-3.0%
+3.2%
+6.0%
ABOVE
3
MSFT
$415.78
-0.8%
-4.1%
-2.2%
+0.9%
BELOW
4
AMZN
$219.39
-0.9%
-4.2%
+2.8%
+16.0%
ABOVE
4
META
$582.63
-1.0%
-3.7%
-4.5%
+1.9%
BELOW
4
GOOG
$189.45
-1.2%
-3.6%
+10.2%
+15.0%
ABOVE
4
NVDA
$134.09
-2.3%
-4.2%
-4.2%
-6.5%
BELOW
1
TSLA
$403.84
-3.3%
-12.6%
+14.9%
+84.5%
ABOVE
4
Chip Supply ChainShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
INTC
$20.05
+1.2%
-1.7%
-10.8%
-12.2%
BELOW
0
QCOM
$148.75
-0.6%
-3.6%
-5.0%
-8.6%
BELOW
4
MRVL
$109.94
-1.1%
-4.7%
+15.2%
+35.0%
ABOVE
4
AMD
$120.79
-1.3%
-4.4%
-14.9%
-23.5%
BELOW
2
TSM
$193.86
-1.4%
-4.3%
-0.4%
-1.9%
ABOVE
5
AVGO
$228.92
-1.6%
-3.3%
+38.2%
+29.2%
ABOVE
3
Memory & StorageShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
WDC
$44.87
+0.0%
-3.4%
-16.8%
-11.3%
BELOW
0
STX
$84.46
-0.3%
-2.5%
-12.0%
-22.6%
BELOW
5
MU
$83.84
-1.3%
-5.6%
-15.6%
-22.7%
BELOW
3
EDA & Semiconductor IPShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
SNPS
$485.36
-0.3%
-3.0%
-14.9%
-4.0%
BELOW
4
CDNS
$300.46
-0.5%
-2.6%
-4.1%
+18.7%
ABOVE
3
ARM
$123.36
-2.0%
-6.4%
-12.1%
-19.0%
BELOW
4
InfrastructureShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
DELL
$112.16
+0.4%
-3.1%
-8.2%
-8.0%
BELOW
0
CSCO
$56.88
+0.0%
-1.1%
-0.5%
+4.6%
ABOVE
0
HPE
$20.60
-0.2%
-2.5%
+0.9%
+7.6%
ABOVE
3
SMCI
$30.48
-0.7%
-11.2%
-24.2%
-36.2%
BELOW
4
VRT
$113.40
-2.2%
-4.3%
-11.4%
+1.4%
BELOW
1
AI Networking & InterconnectShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
APH
$68.68
-0.1%
-3.1%
-4.8%
+4.1%
BELOW
4
COHR
$94.73
-0.1%
-5.1%
-11.1%
-3.8%
BELOW
4
ANET
$110.53
-0.8%
-3.6%
+6.7%
+8.9%
ABOVE
3
Enterprise SoftwareShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
ORCL
$163.42
-0.2%
-2.8%
-8.9%
-4.1%
BELOW
3
ADBE
$444.68
-0.3%
-0.7%
-13.9%
-10.7%
BELOW
3
CRM
$330.48
-0.4%
-2.9%
+1.0%
+14.9%
ABOVE
4
NOW
$212.02
-0.7%
-4.1%
+0.3%
+15.4%
ABOVE
4
PLTR
$75.63
-2.0%
-8.2%
+6.6%
+77.1%
ABOVE
4
FinanceShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
JPM
$231.45
+0.2%
-1.1%
-2.1%
+7.5%
ABOVE
0
GS
$555.78
-0.2%
-1.7%
-4.9%
+11.1%
ABOVE
4
HealthcareShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
LLY
$762.60
-0.2%
-3.0%
-5.1%
-14.7%
BELOW
5
UNH
$487.11
-0.4%
-0.0%
-16.1%
-11.1%
BELOW
3
RetailShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
WMT
$88.93
-0.2%
-2.5%
-3.2%
+12.1%
ABOVE
3
COST
$907.51
-0.6%
-4.4%
-6.7%
+3.5%
BELOW
4
IT ServicesShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
IBM
$210.01
-0.2%
-2.0%
-4.0%
-4.4%
BELOW
3
ACN
$339.84
-0.2%
-2.7%
-0.2%
-6.4%
BELOW
4
AirlinesShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
DAL
$59.32
-0.4%
-3.3%
-3.3%
+9.8%
BELOW
4
UAL
$97.10
-1.1%
-4.0%
+1.4%
+31.2%
ABOVE
4
Hospitality & TravelShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
BKNG
$196.33
-0.4%
-3.0%
-4.6%
+14.0%
ABOVE
4
MAR
$274.61
-0.5%
-2.6%
-2.1%
+5.5%
BELOW
3
Food & RestaurantShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
SBUX
$87.30
+0.7%
+1.5%
-10.2%
-4.8%
BELOW
0
MCD
$279.81
+0.1%
-1.4%
-1.6%
-7.4%
BELOW
0
LogisticsShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
UPS
$112.64
+0.6%
-0.1%
-2.8%
-2.8%
BELOW
0
FDX
$219.74
+0.3%
+3.5%
-0.0%
+5.2%
BELOW
0
IndustrialShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
CAT
$355.19
-0.1%
-1.3%
-9.1%
-7.1%
BELOW
4
HON
$215.60
-0.3%
-1.3%
-0.5%
+2.5%
ABOVE
3
CybersecurityShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
PANW
$181.96
-1.2%
-4.0%
-7.3%
-3.8%
BELOW
4
ZS
$180.41
-1.5%
-3.7%
-9.2%
-4.0%
BELOW
3
CRWD
$85.54
-2.0%
-6.5%
-2.2%
+10.5%
ABOVE
4
Chip EquipmentShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
LRCX
$71.44
+0.1%
-2.2%
-7.5%
-0.5%
BELOW
0
ASML
$683.24
-0.4%
-3.7%
-3.5%
-2.7%
BELOW
5
KLAC
$62.25
-0.6%
-3.1%
-5.3%
-6.2%
BELOW
4
AMAT
$160.45
-0.6%
-3.4%
-11.2%
-11.6%
BELOW
4
Data Center REITsShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
EQIX
$907.90
+0.7%
-0.7%
-2.2%
+7.7%
ABOVE
0
DLR
$169.73
+0.6%
-1.7%
-6.6%
+8.0%
BELOW
0
AI Power & GridShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
ETN
$324.93
-0.2%
-2.8%
-11.2%
-4.1%
BELOW
4
GEV
$327.79
-0.4%
-5.3%
-0.8%
+19.1%
ABOVE
4
PWR
$315.48
-0.9%
-4.5%
-7.0%
-0.5%
BELOW
4
CEG
$221.48
-1.2%
-2.6%
-9.6%
-18.1%
BELOW
4
VST
$136.74
-1.6%
-3.8%
-10.4%
+5.9%
BELOW
1
UtilitiesShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
DUK
$101.33
+0.0%
-1.1%
-5.2%
-9.3%
BELOW
0
SO
$77.74
-0.1%
-1.0%
-4.6%
-10.5%
BELOW
2
NEE
$68.55
-0.1%
-1.7%
-6.0%
-14.1%
BELOW
4
EnergyShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
XOM
$101.72
+1.7%
+1.1%
-8.6%
-9.7%
BELOW
0
CVX
$134.66
+1.2%
+0.7%
-10.5%
-3.0%
BELOW
0
Defense & AerospaceShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
LMT
$466.50
+0.5%
-0.4%
-6.0%
-20.4%
BELOW
0
RTX
$112.38
+0.4%
-1.0%
-2.0%
-7.6%
BELOW
0
GD
$254.83
+0.0%
-0.9%
-5.0%
-14.5%
BELOW
0
TelecomShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
VZ
$35.62
+1.0%
+0.5%
-8.8%
-8.5%
BELOW
0
T
$21.04
+0.7%
-0.8%
-4.1%
+5.1%
ABOVE
0
TMUS
$215.13
+0.0%
-1.0%
-9.9%
-0.6%
BELOW
0
Media & EntertainmentShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
DIS
$109.29
+0.5%
-1.1%
-4.0%
+15.8%
ABOVE
0
NFLX
$89.13
-1.0%
-4.4%
-1.2%
+15.4%
ABOVE
4
BiotechShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
AMGN
$247.36
+0.5%
-1.5%
-6.4%
-17.1%
BELOW
0
GILD
$88.77
+0.4%
-1.7%
+0.7%
+7.9%
ABOVE
0
MaterialsShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
APD
$277.31
+0.5%
-2.0%
-12.3%
-12.5%
BELOW
0
LIN
$410.43
+0.2%
-1.7%
-8.6%
-13.1%
BELOW
0
Analog & Embedded ChipsShow individual tickers
Ticker
Price
1D
5D
20D
50D
vs 50MA
Down Days
MCHP
$54.66
+0.4%
-2.1%
-12.3%
-23.2%
BELOW
0
ADI
$207.79
-0.0%
-2.6%
-3.7%
-5.5%
BELOW
4
TXN
$178.61
-0.2%
-2.6%
-4.9%
-3.6%
BELOW
4
Key Stock Movers
Today's biggest movers by absolute percentage change: Tesla (TSLA) (Mag 7 (AI Spenders)) fell 3.3% to $403.84. NVIDIA (NVDA) (Mag 7 (AI Spenders)) fell 2.3% to $134.09. Vertiv (VRT) (Infrastructure) fell 2.2% to $113.40. CrowdStrike (CRWD) (Cybersecurity) fell 2.0% to $85.54. ARM Holdings (ARM) (EDA & Semiconductor IP) fell 2.0% to $123.36. These individual stock movements were key drivers of their respective sector performance.
Risk and Opportunity Assessment
On the risk side, 7 high-severity alerts are currently active, signaling significant sector declines that warrant portfolio risk management attention. Consider reducing exposure to affected sectors and tightening stop-loss levels.
US Stock Market Outlook
With 4 sectors above their 50-day averages and 20 below, and active [HIGH] alerts flagging deep 20-day and 50-day declines across Healthcare, Materials and others, the S&P 500 looks tilted toward selective risk-off positioning. Breadth metrics and the alert count argue for defensive tilts — reduce cyclical exposure where 50-day trends are broken and favor names in Enterprise Software and select Energy names showing relative stability. Monitor the 50-day trend leadership and alert list for new breakouts; if more sectors fall below their 50-day, increase cash or hedge exposure while adding conviction-sized positions in structurally supported AI infrastructure and resilient software franchises.