US stocks stumbled Wednesday afternoon as bond yields continued to climb, putting pressure on equities. Investors weighed a flare-up in US-China tensions over chips and assessed retail earnings highlighted by Target (TGT) for insight into the economic impact of President Trump's tariffs.

Wall Street saw one of its most brutal selling sessions overnight in over a month as rising deficit worries led to a spike in bond yields, which in turn hit sentiment around equities. The run-up seen from lower levels also was a big factor in investors choosing to take money off the table as uncertainties rose.

Stocks closed down significantly on Wednesday as bond yields spiked amid deficit concerns centered on a tax cut measure under consideration in the U.S. House as part of a megabill supporting President Donald Trump's second-term agenda.