US Stocks End Mainly Lower On Profit Taking

"); jQuery("#212 h3").html("

Related News Programmes

"); });

2020-12-01 HKT 05:12

Share this story

facebook

  • But the S&P 500 technology index rose, thanks to a rise in Apple Inc shares. Photo: Shutterstock

    But the S&P 500 technology index rose, thanks to a rise in Apple Inc shares. Photo: Shutterstock

Most of the major S&P 500 sectors fell, with the energy index leading losses, tracking a drop in crude prices.

The S&P 500 technology index rose, thanks to a rise in Apple Inc shares.

IHS Markit topped gains on the S&P 500 after data giant S&P Global agreed to buy the financial information provider in a US$44 billion deal that would be the biggest corporate acquisition of 2020.

Month-end rebalancing of portfolios played into Monday's weakness, analysts said, as investors cashed in on gains after a strong month marked by updates of Covid-19 vaccines making headway and hopes of a swift economic rebound next year.

A rotation into energy, industrials and financials, all expected by many investors to outperform as the economy recovers from its downturn, have driven gains of more than 10 percent for the S&P 500 in November and helped the Dow Jones Industrial Average make its biggest monthly gain since 1987.

"I would attribute (Monday's drop) to compounding concerns over the coronavirus, combined with the market just looking to digest some of the recent gains over the past month," said CFRA Chief Investment Strategist Sam Stovall.

"When you sprint and get out of breath, you have to slow down to catch your breath."

After an explosion in infections and business restrictions this month that stalled the U.S. labor market recovery, the focus has shifted to Tuesday's address by Fed Chair Jerome Powell before the Senate Banking Committee, the Fed's Beige Book on Wednesday and the monthly jobs report on Friday.

Unofficially, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 265.91 points, or 0.89 percent, to 29,644.46, the S&P 500 lost 16.5 points, or 0.45 percent, to 3,621.85 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 7.11 points, or 0.06 percent, to 12,198.74.

US Health Secretary Alex Azar said on Monday the first two vaccines against the novel coronavirus could be available to Americans before Christmas.

Moderna Inc surged after it unveiled plans to apply for US and European emergency authorisation for its COVID-19 vaccine.

Macy's Inc and Kohl's Corp fell after masked shoppers turned up in smaller numbers at major U.S. retailers on Black Friday, as early online deals and concerns about a spike in COVID-19 cases dulled enthusiasm for mall trips.

Nikola Corp plummeted after the company and General Motors Co announced a reworked deal on a fuel-cell partnership that eliminates an equity stake in the startup for the Detroit automaker and plans for building its electric pickup truck. (Reuters)

RECENT NEWS

US Stocks Rise On Hopes Of Pause In Rate Increases

Wall Street stocks finished solidly higher on Thursday, reflecting better sentiment on the US economy and a consensus vi... Read more

China's Financial Risks 'controllable': Regulators

The head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration on Thursday told a high-profile forum in Shanghai that the ... Read more

Banks Cut Yuan Deposit Rates, Could Boost Consumption

China's biggest banks on Thursday said they have lowered interest rates on yuan deposits, in actions that could ease pre... Read more

Cheese And Wine Put EU, Australia Deal In Peril

Australia on Thursday threatened to walk away from a blockbuster free trade deal with the European Union unless its prod... Read more

US Stocks End Mixed As Tech Shares Are Sold Off

Gains by industrial companies lifted the Dow on Wednesday, while weakness among technology shares pushed the Nasdaq deci... Read more

Amazon 'plans Prime Video Streaming Service With Ads'

Amazon.com is planning to launch an advertising-supported tier of its Prime Video streaming service, the Wall Street Jou... Read more