AI fantasy fades as Wall Street reels from real-world rate jump

The recent increase in borrowing costs across Corporate America is causing concern for stock investors, particularly in the tech sector. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s commitment to keeping interest rates adjusted for inflation elevated has sparked a sell-off in Big Tech stocks. The rising cost of capital is seen as detrimental to equity valuations, and skepticism is growing as the cost of borrowing climbs. Higher rates are pressuring companies and threatening to impact their valuations. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 has already dropped over 5% in September.