US stocks fall as Dow Jones loses 250 points

US stocks declined at the close of Monday’s session, amid pressure from profit-taking in the technology sector as the year-end approaches.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 0.51%, or 249 points, to 48,461 points, but it still maintains gains of 13.91% since the beginning of the year.

The broader S&P 500 index fell by 0.35%, or 24 points, to 6,905 points, while the Nasdaq Composite declined by 0.50%, or 118 points, to 23,474 points.

In Europe, the STOXX Europe 600 index edged up slightly by around 0.10% to 589 points, after touching a record level of 590.15 points earlier in the session.

The UK’s FTSE 100 index was flat at 9,866 points, as was Germany’s DAX at 24,351 points, while France’s CAC 40 rose by 0.10% to 8,112 points.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index fell by 0.45% to 50,526 points, while the broader TOPIX index edged up slightly by 0.10% to 3,426 points.

As for oil, Brent crude futures for February delivery rose by 2.14%, or $1.30, to $61.94 per barrel.

US Nymex crude futures for February delivery also increased by 2.36%, or $1.34, to $58.08 per barrel.

Regarding gold, futures for the precious metal for February delivery fell by 4.6%, or $209.1, to $4,343.60 per ounce at settlement.