03:28 PM EDT, 06/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Tech stocks were lower late Tuesday afternoon, with the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) decreasing 0.6% and the SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) shedding 1.3%.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor index was down 0.6%.

In sector news, US Department of Commerce officials considered new export limits on critical technology headed to China before the recent trade talks held in London, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. The unit within the agency supervising export controls mulled tougher limits on semiconductors, including terminating sales of a wider range of chip-making equipment, the report said.

In corporate news, Amazon ( AMZN ) is rapidly expanding its use of generative AI across almost all areas of its business, a shift that will reduce some traditional roles while creating demand for tech-driven skills, Chief Executive Andy Jassy said Tuesday in a company-wide message. Amazon ( AMZN ) shares were down 0.5%.