2 ‘Magnificent 7’ stocks see stunning plunges

The “Magnificent Seven” stock beatdown has been particularly painful for Microsoft (MSFT) and Meta (META).

Microsoft is down about 35% from its October all-time highs, while Meta is down roughly 34% from its August all-time highs. Incredibly, both stocks are now at or near their April 2025 lows during the Trump tariff chaos, even though the S&P 500 (^GSPC) is still 32% above that level.

“As opposed to the April 2025 selloff, where the entire market sharply declined and then saw a spike higher once the tariffs were rolled back, this selloff feels very stock specific,” 22V Research strategist Jeff Jacobson said.

Every Magnificent Seven stock is down double-digit percentages from its 52-week high, according to data from Yahoo Scout.

There are several explanations for the Magnificent Seven sell-off.

Higher oil prices, driven by Operation Epic Fury, have reignited stubborn inflation, forcing the Federal Reserve to maintain a higher-for-longer interest rate stance. Rates at higher levels for a long period are a natural enemy of growth-oriented tech valuations, as they discount the value of future earnings.

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Meanwhile, capital expenditure commitments to build out AI infrastructure have spooked investors at the start of the year.

Capital expenditures for the four major tech players — Google (GOOGL, GOOG), Microsoft, Amazon (AMZN), and Meta (META) — are expected to exceed $650 billion in 2026, a 60% surge from 2025. Spending at these levels could put downward pressure on profit margins.

Microsoft and Meta are poised to be two of the more aggressive AI spenders this year, likely leading investors to reduce exposure to them amid a more uncertain economic backdrop.

And lastly, institutional investors have rotated out of digital growth plays to perceived safe-haven war plays in energy, defense, and domestic manufacturing.

“All of the prior ‘meaningful’ bottoms over the last decade that saw S&P 500 breach the 200-day moving average didn’t hit their final bottom until less than 25% of components were above their 200-day moving average,” BTIG technical strategist Jonathan Krinsky warned. “This hit ~43% on Friday, so still a long way to go.”

Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance’s Executive Editor and a member of Yahoo Finance’s editorial leadership team. Follow Sozzi on X @BrianSozzi, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Tips on stories? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com.

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