US Stocks Fall as Yields Hit Multi-Decade Highs

US stock indices closed lower on Wednesday as strong economic data, a weak Treasury auction, and energy-driven inflation concerns pushed Treasury yields to multi-decade highs. The S&P 500 fell 0.7%, the Dow shed 351 points, and the Nasdaq 100 retreated 0.8% from its record high. Rising oil prices drove yields higher, stoking inflation concerns. The yields rise intensified after S&P Global PMI data showed strong new orders and multi-year highs in input and output price inflation, raising expectations of another Fed rate hike this year. The bond selloff accelerated after a five-year Treasury auction drew surprisingly weak demand. Credit-sensitive AI hyperscalers, which are undergoing record levels of debt issuance, were mostly lower, with Alphabet down 3.8%, Oracle shedding 3.1%, and Amazon falling 2.2%. Major banks also posted losses. Chipmakers fell as investors took profits after this week’s rally, with Nvidia down 1.5%, Broadcom losing 2.6%, and Micron shedding 2.2%.