US stocks open lower Monday amid Russia-Ukraine war, high energy prices

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) - Major indices in the US stock market opened lower on Monday with worries over Russia’s war on Ukraine and high energy prices.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 240.4 points, or 0.72%, to 33,374 at 9.36 a.m. EDT. The S&P 500 lost 20.06 points, or 0.46%, to 4,308.

The Nasdaq decreased 13.05 points, or 0.10%, to 13,300 points.

The VIX volatility index, known as the fear index, jumped 3.97% to 33.25. The dollar index increased 0.14% to 98.81.

Precious metals were mixed, with gold adding 0.69% to $1,980 per ounce, and silver falling 0.35% to $25.70.

Concerns of a possible embargo on Russian oil, which if imposed would limit global supply in an already tight and volatile market, are triggering higher oil prices.

Brent crude was trading at $121.20 per barrel for a gain of 2.62% at the time. The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was at $117.3 a barrel with a gain of 1.41%.