Dow Falls About 200 Points as Nvidia and Tesla Slide in Morning Trading

U.S. stocks opened lower Monday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped roughly 200 points in early trading, reflecting a cautious tone among investors. Technology names led the pullback, with high-profile chips maker Nvidia and electric-vehicle maker Tesla among the most actively sold shares in the morning session.

Traders described the action as a modest risk-off move, with profit-taking and short-term rotation out of richly valued growth positions contributing to the softness. Nvidia, which has been a market favorite amid enthusiasm for artificial intelligence, showed signs of consolidation after recent gains. Tesla shares likewise retreated after earlier strength, as investors reassessed near-term catalysts and valuation expectations.

Market breadth was negative in the opening hours, with more decliners than advancers across the major exchanges. The drop in the Dow came even as other sectors displayed mixed performance: defensive and value-oriented stocks held up better than high-multiple tech names. Bond yields, currency moves and headline news often influence intraday swings, and traders typically watch those indicators to gauge whether declines will deepen or remain contained.

Analysts say intraday sell-offs can present opportunities for disciplined investors, but they also underscore the importance of distinguishing between temporary pullbacks and changes in longer-term fundamentals. For active traders, earnings reports, economic data releases, and any fresh commentary from central banks will be monitored closely for signs of direction.

For longer-term market participants, a single-session decline—even one that knocks a major average down by a couple hundred points—does not necessarily signal a sustained trend shift. Still, the prominence of Nvidia and Tesla among the sell-offs highlights how concentrated moves in a handful of names can disproportionately affect headline indices.

Investors will be watching subsequent trading sessions for confirmation: whether broader participation picks up and buyers step in, or whether weakness spreads to additional sectors. Until then, volatility may remain elevated as market participants digest recent rallies and recalibrate positioning.