US markets settle lower amid recession jitters

02 Aug 2022 Evaluate

The US markets settled lower after a choppy session on Monday. The mood in the market was quite cautious due to worries about a possible recession after data showed weakening factory activity in Asia and Europe. Data showing manufacturing activity in the US rose at the weakest rate in nearly two years hurt as well. The S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI was revised slightly lower to 52.2 in July of 2022 from a preliminary of 52.3, pointing to the lowest factory growth since July of 2020. The Institute for Supply Management said the ISM Manufacturing PMI edged lower to 52.8 in July of 2022 from 53 in June, beating market forecasts for a reading of 52. The reading pointed to a 26th straight month of rising factory activity but the weakest rate since June of 2020.

Data from the Commerce Department showed construction spending in the US fell by 1.1 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.76 trillion in June, compared to the revised 0.1 percent increase in May and market expectations of a 0.1 percent rise. On the sectoral front, shares of energy firms drifted down after oil prices tumbled amid concerns about outlook for energy demand due to global economic slowdown. Bank stocks were weak as well. However, fairly encouraging corporate earnings updates helped limit market's downside. Stock specific development, Boeing shares climbed more than 6 percent on reports that the Federal Aviation Administration had approved the jet maker to restart deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner.

Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 46.73 points or 0.14 percent to 32,798.4, Nasdaq dropped 21.71 points or 0.18 percent to 12,368.98 and S&P 500 was down by 11.66 points or 0.28 percent to 4,118.63.

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