TECH STOCKS: Tech Stocks Slips Give Back Gains In Early Trading

By Benjamin Pimentel

Technology stocks fell early Tuesday, giving back gains a day after the Nasdaq Composite Index closed above the 2,000 mark for the first time in almost a year, as semiconductor stocks led the retreat.

Despite falling more than 5 points, the Nasdaq (RIXF) was still above the 2,000-point level at 2,003 in early trading, while the Morgan Stanley High Tech 35 Index (MSH) was behind 0.45% and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) was off 0.7%.

The semiconductor sector was hardest hit, as shares of Intel Corp. (INTC), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) traded down more than 1%.

Shares of other tech bellwethers also slid, including those of Oracle Corp. (ORCL), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and Apple Inc. (AAPL).

The broader market was also lower as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) fell more than 15 points, as investors stepped on the brakes ahead after a four-day winning streak.

The day also marks a continuation of the ongoing tech-earnings season, with reports after the market close expected from video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc. (ERTS) and business-software company BMC Software Inc. (BMC).