By Gokhan Ergocun
ISTANBUL (AA) - US stocks ended lower ahead of inflation figures Wednesday which may affect the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 154.1 points, or 0.35%, finishing at 44,247.83.
The S&P 500 fell 17.94 points, or 0.3%, to 6,034.91. The Nasdaq Composite decreased 49.45 points, or 0.25%, to end at 19,687.24.
While the Dow finished above the 45,000 level for the first time last week, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also ended last week at records.
The VIX volatility index, referred to as the "fear index," fell by 0.07% to 14.18.
Precious metals were in positive territory, with gold adding 1.26% to $2,693.94 per ounce and silver rising 0.25% to $31.90 as of 2225GMT.
Oil prices meanwhile rose around 0.2%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $71.90 a barrel.