Over the past month, the market has undergone a rotation that’s seen tech sell-off and defensive sectors like healthcare reap the rewards. The jury remains out on whether this shift indicates a more inclusive rally or if it should raise questions about the bull market’s footing. Regardless, defensive sectors appear to be stepping into the spotlight.
That’s been underscored by some big hits to 2025’s best-performing tech stocks. Palantir (NASDAQ: PLTR), for example, fell by more than 21% from the open on Tuesday, Aug. 12, to its one-month intraday low on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Tech’s losses have been exacerbated over the past five trading sessions, during which time it and communication services have been the only S&P 500 sectors in the red.
