12:40 PM EST, 02/20/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes fell with government bond yields and the dollar as earnings, macroeconomic data, and a worsening geopolitical environment weighed on risk sentiment.

The Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 each fell 0.7% to 19,920.9 and 6,103.04, respectively, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was 1.3% lower at 44,055.66 after midday on Thursday. Financials, consumer discretionary, and industrials led the decliners, with healthcare and energy the only sectors in the green intraday.

In economic news, US initial jobless claims rose to 219,000 during the week ended Feb. 15 from an upwardly revised 214,000 prior week, the US Labor Department said Thursday. The expectations were for 215,000 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

The Conference Board's measure of leading indicators fell 0.3% in January, below expectations for a 0.1% decrease in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following an upwardly revised 0.1% increase in December.

"In recent weeks, we've heard not only enthusiasm -- particularly from banks, about possible shifts in tax and regulatory policies -- but also widespread apprehension about future trade and immigration policy," Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Raphael Bostic said Thursday in an essay published on the Atlanta Fed's website. "Contacts are concerned that tariffs could increase costs. Many feel confident that if that happens, then they can pass along higher costs in their prices."

Europe's leaders and officials have been blindsided by a staggering collapse in American support for Ukraine in the past week, CNN reported. Many still cannot understand why President Donald Trump has turned so furiously on Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, the news report said.

Most US Treasury yields fell, with the 10-year down 3.6 basis points to 4.50% and the two-year 1.5 basis points lower at 4.26%. The dollar depreciated 1.2% against the Japanese yen to 149.5.

In company news, Walmart ( WMT ) slumped 6.7% intraday, the biggest laggard on the Dow, after the company released Q1 and fiscal 2026 adjusted-earnings guidance below the average analyst estimates compiled by FactSet.

EPAM Systems ( EPAM ) sank 16% intraday, the worst performer on the S&P 500 after the company posted Q1 and 2025 non-GAAP EPS guidance that trailed FactSet analyst estimates.