US markets end mostly lower on Monday

14 Apr 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended mostly lower on Monday on account of profit taking, as some traders cashed in on last week’s rally, which lifted the major averages to their best levels in nearly a month. Lingering concerns about the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic also weighed on the markets, with the number of daily deaths from the disease in the US reaching a record high of more than 2,000 on Friday. However, White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci expressed cautious optimism the outbreak is slowing down. Fauci noted that hospitalizations and intensive care admissions in the New York metropolitan area have not only flattened but stated to turn the corner. At the same time, Fauci cautioned that reopening the country will not be like flipping a light switch and will depend on the situation in different parts of the country. Meanwhile, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also recently suggested that the worst is over if people continue to be smart going forward.

On the economic data front, reflecting a steep drop in energy prices, the Labor Department released a report showing consumer prices in the US fell by slightly more than anticipated in the month of March. The Labor Department said its consumer price index slid by 0.4 percent in March after inching up by 0.1 percent for two straight months. Street had expected consumer prices to fall by 0.3 percent. The bigger than expected decrease, the largest monthly decline since January of 2015, came as energy prices plunged by 5.8 percent in March after slumping by 2.0 percent in February. Gasoline prices led the way lower, plummeting by 10.5 percent. Excluding the steep drop in energy prices as well as an increase in food prices, core consumer prices edged down by 0.1 percent in March after rising by 0.2 percent for two consecutive months. Core prices were expected to inch up by 0.1 percent. The unexpected dip in core prices, the first since January of 2010, reflected lower prices for airline fares, lodging away from home, apparel, and new vehicles.

Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 328.6 points or 1.39 percent to 23,390.77 and S&P 500 was down by 28.19 points or 1.01 percent to 2,761.63, while Nasdaq gained 38.85 points 0.48 percent to 8,192.42.

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