NEW YORK – U.S. stock markets ended Monday’s trading session in the red, as significant losses in the Technology, Oil & Gas, and Industrials sectors pulled the major indices lower. The decline was accompanied by a spike in market volatility, signaling rising investor caution.
At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had fallen 0.45%. The broader S&P 500 index lost 0.25%, while the tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite index declined 0.30%.
The negative sentiment was widespread, with falling stocks outnumbering advancing ones on both major exchanges. On the New York Stock Exchange, 1,595 stocks fell compared to 1,159 that rose. On the Nasdaq, 1,834 stocks declined while 1,500 advanced.
Underscoring the mood of uncertainty, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), often called the market’s “fear gauge,” jumped 7.19% to 16.24.
Key Movers on the Day
Several high-profile technology and industrial stocks led the retreat. Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) was the worst performer on the Dow, tumbling 3.26% to close at a 52-week low of $232.68. It was joined by International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM), which dropped 2.46%, and Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:CAT), which fell 1.92%. On the S&P 500, software maker Intuit Inc (NASDAQ:INTU) slid 5.76%.
However, the session was not without its bright spots. On the Dow, defensive names showed strength, with 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) rising 1.32% and Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) adding 1.00%.
In a notable divergence from the broader tech sell-off, several semiconductor and gaming stocks rallied. Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ:EA) surged 5.06% to close at an all-time high of $176.12. Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:MU) also gained an impressive 4.09%, while lithium producer Albemarle Corp (NYSE:ALB) was the top performer on the S&P 500, climbing 7.00%.
The Nasdaq Composite saw some extreme moves from smaller-cap companies, led by a 76.11% surge in Equillium Inc (NASDAQ:EQ). Conversely, Safety Shot Inc (NASDAQ:SHOT) plummeted 51.04%.
Broader Market Snapshot
In commodities trading, precious metals saw a significant downturn. Gold Futures for December delivery fell 2.61% to $3,400.20 a troy ounce. In contrast, energy markets were slightly higher, with Crude oil for September delivery rising 0.23% to $64.03 a barrel.
In the currency markets, the US Dollar Index Futures showed strength, climbing 0.33% to 98.33. The dollar gained against the Japanese yen, with the USD/JPY pair rising 0.27% to 148.13.
