U.S. Stocks End Monday with Mixed Results

(MENAFN) U.S. equities finished Monday on a divided note as investors grappled with mounting instability in the Middle East and its potential fallout on global energy supplies.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.15 percent to 48,904.78, while the S&P 500 edged up 0.04 percent to 6,881.62. The Nasdaq Composite outperformed, climbing 0.36 percent to 22,748.86.

Sector performance was uneven. Seven of the 11 major S&P 500 groups ended lower, with consumer staples tumbling 1.35 percent and consumer discretionary stocks down 1.09 percent. Energy and industrials bucked the trend, advancing 1.95 percent and 0.98 percent respectively.

Oil markets surged as traders priced in risks of supply disruption. U.S. crude futures spiked as much as 12 percent at their intraday high, fueling concerns across industries.

Travel-related shares bore the brunt of rising fuel costs. Major carriers including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines dropped between 2 percent and 5 percent.

Technology stocks provided some relief. Nvidia gained 2.99 percent, while Microsoft rose 1.48 percent. Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar and several banking names also rebounded from earlier losses to close higher.

Economic data added to the cautious mood. The Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing PMI slipped to 52.4 in February from 52.6 in January, signaling slower growth momentum. Meanwhile, bond markets saw renewed pressure, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury climbing more than 8 basis points to 4.04 percent.

MENAFN03032026000045017169ID1110809027