US stock markets lower at week's open

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) - Major indices in the US stock market opened lower on Monday ahead of inflation data set to be announced on Tuesday.

The Dow Jones fell 96.3 points, or 0.28%, to 34,624 at 9.32 a.m. EDT (1332GMT).

The S&P 500 dropped 32.9 points or 0.73% 4,455 points, while the Nasdaq dropped by 117.9 points, or 1.30%, to 13,533.

The VIX volatility index, known as the fear index, climbed 8.46% to 22.95 and the dollar index increased 0.22% to 99.97.

Precious metals were on the rise, with gold increasing 0.84% to $1,962 per ounce and silver inching up 2.82% to $25.52 as of 9.32 a.m. EDT (1332GMT).

Global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading at $98.90, down 3.78%, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was at $94.36 – a 3.97% loss.