Dow Jones leads the way as US stocks close with gains

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - The Dow Jones led the way as US stocks closed Monday higher to kick off the new week with gains.

The blue-chip index rose 417 points, or 1.34%, to finish the first trading day of the week at 31,499. The S&P 500 added 44 points, or 1.19%, to 3,797.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 92 points, or 0.86%, to 10,952.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, was up 0.74% to 29.91. The 10-year US Treasury yield rose 0.72% to 4.242%.

The dollar index was flat at 0.22% to 112.01, still around its highest in 20 years, while the euro added 0.13% to $0.9873 against the greenback.

Precious metals were falling, with gold shedding 0.5% to $1,649 and silver losing 1% to $19.22.

Oil prices were mixed. Global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading at $91.40 per barrel, up 0.1%. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was around $84.76 – down 0.3%.