Dow Jones snaps 4-session winning streak

US stock indexes declined in the first session of the fourth quarter as investors turned to Treasury bonds and safe-haven assets following military escalation in the Middle East, sparking volatility in financial markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined for the first time in four sessions, ending 0.4%, or 173 points, lower at 42,156 points.

The S&P 500 index fell by 0.95%, or 53 points, to 5,708 points, and the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 1.55%, or 278 points, to 17,910 points.

As for European markets, the STOXX Europe 600 inched down 0.4% to 520.8 points due to the losses of banking, auto, and technology sectors.

FTSE 100 rose 0.5% to end at 8,276 points. Germany’s DAX 40 Index edged down 0.6% to 19,213 points, while the French CAC 40 Index shed 0.8% to close at 7,574 points.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.95%, or 732 points, to 38,651 points, and the broader TOPIX index added 1.7% to 2,690 points.

In the oil market, futures contracts for Brent crude for December delivery rose by 2.6%, or $1.86, to $73.56 per barrel.

Meanwhile, prices of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil for November delivery gained 2.45%, or $1.66, to $69.83 per barrel.

Gold futures prices for December delivery increased by 1.15%, or $30.9, to $2,690.3 per ounce, rising for the first time in three sessions.