Equities: Defensive tilt as AI cycle questioned – Danske Bank

Danske Research Team notes US equities ended modestly higher, with the S&P 500 up 0.3%, Nasdaq flat and Russell 2000 outperforming. Sector performance showed a defensive bias, led by healthcare, while tech, industrials and communication services lagged on concerns about the AI investment cycle. The VIX fell toward 17, suggesting easing market anxiety, though strong AI-related earnings later challenged this rotation.