Core Viewpoint - The recent sell-off in the market, particularly affecting high-beta momentum trading strategies and AI-related stocks, is attributed to multiple pressure factors, including profit-taking ahead of Nvidia's earnings report, concerns over AI infrastructure investment returns, hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve, corporate layoffs, and year-end portfolio adjustments [1][7][9]. Group 1: Market Performance - The Nasdaq 100 index fell over 2% on Thursday, marking a decline in five out of the last six trading days, with market sentiment shifting towards a defensive stance [2][4]. - High-beta momentum trading (GSPRHIMO) experienced a 7% drop, the largest single-day decline since the DeepSeek event, indicating significant pressure on speculative sectors like AI and cryptocurrency-related stocks [1][4][5]. Group 2: Contributing Factors - Five key factors triggered the recent market downturn: profit-taking before Nvidia's earnings, concerns about inflated power demand in data centers related to AI, hawkish statements from Federal Reserve officials, corporate cost-cutting measures, and the seasonal pressure of year-end portfolio adjustments [9][10][11]. - The market is currently awaiting clearer signals, such as Nvidia's earnings performance and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy direction, to assess when the sell-off might stabilize [7][11]. Group 3: Investment Strategies - High-beta momentum strategies are currently showing a significant correlation with high short interest and high residual volatility, while their correlation with high-quality factors is notably lower than usual [12][14]. - Goldman Sachs' momentum strategy has shifted towards high-beta and cyclical sectors while shorting healthcare, making it particularly vulnerable during this sell-off [14][15]. - The skepticism surrounding AI is increasing, with notable events such as Oracle's credit default swaps widening and SoftBank selling Nvidia shares, impacting the AI thematic basket [15].

Core Viewpoint - The market is experiencing significant sell-offs in technology stocks, particularly those related to AI, due to concerns over massive financing needs and a shift in investor sentiment towards a defensive stance [1][10]. Group 1: Market Performance - The Nasdaq 100 index fell over 2% on Thursday, marking five declines in the last six trading days, with the index only about 5% away from its historical high [1]. - High Beta Momentum Pair Trading (GSPRHIMO) dropped 7% on Thursday, the second-worst performance of the year, indicating a severe sell-off in speculative sectors like AI-related stocks and Bitcoin-sensitive stocks [4][9]. Group 2: Factors Behind the Sell-off - Goldman Sachs identified five key triggers for the recent market downturn: profit-taking ahead of Nvidia's earnings report, concerns over inflated power demand for AI infrastructure, hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials, corporate cost-cutting announcements, and upcoming economic data releases [6][11]. - The market is currently facing a challenging macro backdrop, with deteriorating performance from internet companies and signs of fatigue in leading sectors like AI and large tech stocks [6]. Group 3: Momentum Trading Strategies - Momentum trading strategies are highly correlated with AI narratives, and the recent sell-off has raised concerns about a potential wave of position liquidations before year-end [7]. - The correlation between momentum factors and high short interest, high residual volatility, and high beta has significantly increased, while the correlation with high-quality factors remains low [7][9]. Group 4: AI Sector Sentiment - AI beneficiary stocks have declined by 9% relative to the S&P 500, excluding the "Magnificent Seven" tech giants, with previous similar pullbacks averaging around 20% [9]. - Skepticism towards AI is rising, influenced by factors such as Oracle's widening credit default swaps and SoftBank's sale of Nvidia shares, which are impacting the AI thematic basket [11].