Finance

European stocks slip as Nvidia-linked AI fears weigh on tech

European equities opened lower as renewed risk-off pressure hit tech and mining, centered on Nvidia-linked AI exposure. The Stoxx 600 fell about 0.7% at the open, with the FTSE, DAX and CAC 40 down more than 0.5% as miners and energy lagged. Bitcoin traded below $80,000 while precious metals moved on risk-off signals, underscoring broad risk-off across asset classes.

📅 February 02, 2026
⏱️ 2 min read
European stocks slip as Nvidia-linked AI fears weigh on tech

Key Takeaways

  • Stoxx 600 opens about 0.7% lower; FTSE, DAX and CAC 40 down more than 0.5%
  • Mining stocks ~3% weaker; oil sector around 2.3% lower at the open
  • Bitcoin below $80,000 on risk-off trading; gold down about 9%
  • Silver reportedly down ~30% on Friday (unverified)
  • Nvidia-OpenAI investment plan reportedly stalled per WSJ sources; AI sentiment weighs on tech expectations

People Involved

  • No specific individuals mentioned

Entities Involved

  • Stoxx 600European equities index
  • NvidiaAI and semiconductor company
  • OpenAIAI research and deployment company
  • Julius Baer GroupSwiss private banking group
  • BitcoinCryptocurrency

MarketMoodz Analysis

European markets opened in the red as risk-off momentum resurfaced on AI headlines and Nvidia-linked exposure, with mining and energy names leading declines and broad risk appetite dented. The move ties into a fragile tech sentiment where large-cap AI bets face scrutiny even as investors scan for hedges as crypto, gold, and silver react to the evolving macro backdrop.

The setup resembles prior episodes where AI-driven narratives sparked volatility across global equities and commodity markets. While gold normally cushions risk-off, the data here show it trading lower alongside equities, hinting at a broader liquidity squeeze or dollar strength. The reported silver plunge is striking and should be verified against authoritative precious metals data before drawing conclusions.

What to watch next: Julius Baer earnings, German retail sales, and Spanish new car registrations will shape Europe’s near-term trajectory. In the meantime, traders will monitor Nvidia/OpenAI headlines and U.S. futures for contagion risk, and consider hedges such as options on key indices or selective long-duration gold exposure as protection against further volatility.

Source: Original Article

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