XSD is trading 2.2% down in pre-market on July 16, 2026, following renewed U.S. export-control concerns regarding advanced AI chips that weighed on the semiconductor sector in the previous session.
- Pre-market weakness is being reinforced by hawkish Federal Reserve commentary regarding potential rate hikes and softer global growth data.
- Sentiment is further pressured by a sharp tech-led selloff in South Korea following the Bank of Korea’s rate increase, impacting high-beta tech stocks.
- The ETF maintains over 90% exposure to information technology, making it highly sensitive to shifting sector sentiment and trade restrictions.