Stocks fell Monday as social unrest from China’s prolonged COVID restrictions weighed on markets, sending oil prices lower — after Wall Street notched gains during the Thanksgiving holiday-shortened week.
The Dow Jones Industrials stumbled 167.25 points to begin Monday at 34,179.78
The S&P 500 faded 24.06 points to 4,002.06.
The NASDAQ fell 58.96 points to 11,253.22.
Over the weekend, demonstrations broke out in mainland China as people vented their frustrations with Beijing’s zero-COVID policy. Local governments tightened COVID controls as cases surged, even though earlier this month Beijing adjusted some policies that suggested the world’s second-biggest economy was on its way to reopening.
The developments reverberated across global markets. with oil futures hovering around new 2022 lows around demand concerns.
Shares of companies with big production facilities in the country were under pressure. Apple lost 1.5% after Bloomberg reported that unrest at a factory in China could mean six million fewer iPhone Pro units for the year
Investors will be watching this week more earnings reports and a slew of economic releases that will give further information on the state of the consumer and the U.S. economy. Personal consumption data and the labour report for November will also be released.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury advanced, lowering yields to 3.68% from Friday’s 3.69%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices slumped $1.17 to $75.11 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices slid $6.80 to $1,747.20 U.S. an ounce.