Dow Leads Gains as Healthcare Stocks Boost US Markets, Tech Slides

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher on Tuesday, lifting US equity markets as investors moved into healthcare and other value stocks. The broader S&P 500 also posted gains, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped as technology shares paused after their recent rebound. Healthcare shares rose, leading the advance, and small‑cap and defensive sectors posted outperformance.

Context

Healthcare and defensive stocks often attract investors when tech momentum wanes, as they are seen as more stable. The Dow’s performance typically mirrors the health of such sectors, while the Nasdaq is more sensitive to tech swings.