Major U.S. equity indices closed sharply lower Friday as technology stocks led a broad-based selloff that sent the VIX volatility index surging to 29.3. The S&P 500 fell 1.70% to 6,512, while the Nasdaq bore the brunt of selling pressure, declining 1.85% to 21,653. The Dow Jones managed a relatively modest 1.12% drop to 45,616.
Small-cap stocks faced even steeper losses, with the Russell 2000 falling 2.18% to 2,432, reflecting heightened risk-off sentiment across growth-oriented sectors. The semiconductor space was particularly volatile, with Intel plummeting 5.00% to $43.87 on disappointing forward guidance, while ARM Holdings bucked the trend with a 1.95% gain to $132.35 on renewed chip optimism. The elevated VIX reading suggests investors are bracing for continued volatility as markets digest ongoing uncertainties around interest rates and economic growth prospects.