The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is up 28% this year, which is almost triple its average annual gain going back to 1957. Technology stocks are leading the S&P higher at the moment, but those operating in the artificial intelligence (AI) space are generating particularly strong gains.

For much of the last two years, big tech has dominated the storyline revolving around artificial intelligence (AI). "Magnificent Seven" members Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet have invested billions into the likes of ChatGPT creator OpenAI and perhaps its biggest rival,

Key technical levels are starting to break. The stock has dropped below short-term moving averages, a sign that gravity is starting to kick in.

Two prominent companies in this area are quantum computing company IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) and semiconductor-giant Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA). Through Dec. 11, IonQ's share price was up around 140%, and Nvidia's had risen about 180% in 2024.

Nvidia (NVDA) stock’s meteoric rise seems to have hit a roadblock. Despite delivering an exceptional Q3 performance that surpassed Wall Street’s expectations, NVDA stock has been on a downward trajectory.