Healthcare

U.S. equity indices came under pressure after hotter-than-expected inflation data revived concerns over a more hawkish Federal Reserve. Technology shares led the decline, while defensive sectors helped limit losses in the Dow Jones.

The S&P 500 and Dow have pushed to record territory as earnings strength, lower oil and softer private hiring data ease pressure from the rate trade. Friday’s payrolls report now becomes the key test for whether the breakout can extend or must absorb a pullback.

The Nasdaq Composite is sitting near a key technical area after settling on the strong side of its 50-day moving average and inside a short-term retracement zone. Chip weakness, upcoming retail sales and jobless claims data, and the Netflix report after the close are shaping the next move for US technology shares.