US stocks close higher before inflation figures

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) – US stock exchanges closed with gains on Monday, a day before the release of key inflation figures.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 157 points, or 0.43%, to finish at 36,404. The S&P 500 added 18 points, or 0.39%, to 4,622.

The Nasdaq, meanwhile, increased 28 points, or 0.2%, to end the session at 14,432.

US consumer inflation figures will be released before the market opening on Tuesday. Consumer prices annually rose 3.2% in October, while the market expectation for the November figure is to show a year-on-year gain of 3.1%.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, was up 2.3% to 12.63. The 10-year US Treasury yield fell 0.26% to 4.236%.

The dollar index increased 0.06% to 104.08, while the euro added 0.04% to $1.0765 against the greenback.

Precious metals were in negative territory, with gold losing 1.1% to $1,981 per ounce and silver decreasing 0.8% to $22.82.

Oil prices were up around 0.3%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $76.09 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude at $71.43.