NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets kicked off the new week, and the month of December, with across-the-board losses on Monday. "Stocks are going through a period of digestion," Robert Schein, chief investment officer at Blanke Schein Wealth Management told CNBC Monday. "But we think the backdrop for stocks remains strong right now, especially given the high likelihood that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again next week."

The benchmark Standard and Poor's 500 fell 36.46 points, or 0.53 percent, to close Monday at 6,812.63. The decline was broad-based, with trading volume reaching 2.77 billion shares.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average suffered the steepest losses among the major U.S. indices, dropping 427.09 points. This represented a decline of 0.90 percent, bringing the index to a close of 47,289.33.

The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite showed relative resilience but still finished in negative territory. The index declined by 89.76 points, or 0.38 percent, ending the session at 23,275.92 on elevated volume of 6.84 billion shares.

U.S. Dollar Shows Mixed Performance in Monday's Forex Trading

The U.S. dollar exhibited a mixed but firming trend in global foreign exchange markets on Monday, gaining notably against the Japanese Yen but facing pressure from the Euro.

The Euro (EUR/USD) advanced against the greenback, rising 0.11 percent to trade at 1.1608. In contrast, the British Pound (GBP/USD) saw a slight decline, easing 0.09 percent to 1.3211.

The dollar's most significant move on Monday was against the Japanese Yen (USD/JPY), where it weakened ened by 0.41 percent to reach 155.49. It posted gains against the Canadian Dollar (USD/CAD), rising 0.21 percent to 1.3999, and the Swiss Franc (USD/CHF), increasing 0.18 percent to 0.8045.

The commodity-linked Australasian currencies softened against the dollar. The Australian Dollar (AUD/USD) edged down 0.06 percent to 0.6542, while the New Zealand Dollar (NZD/USD) dipped 0.05 percent to 0.5726.

The day's movements suggested a cautiously stronger U.S. dollar index, driven primarily by its significant rally against the Yen, even as it ceded some ground to the Euro. 

Global Equity Markets Show Mixed Performance in Monday's Trading Session

Major global stock indices closed with a mixed performance on Monday, as investors weighed economic data and regional pressures. European markets faced broad declines, while several Asian indices posted gains.

Canada's main benchmark mirrored the Dow's decline. The S&P/TSX Composite Index tumbled 281.00 points, a loss of 0.90 percent, to settle at 31,101.78.

In the UK and Europe, the region's key benchmarks finished the day in negative territory. The UK's FTSE 100 closed at 9,702.53, shedding 17.98 points or 0.18 percent. Germany's DAX Performance Index experienced a more pronounced drop, falling 247.35 points, or 1.04 percent, to settle at 23,589.44. France's CAC 40 declined by 25.71 points, a loss of 0.32 percent, closing at 8,097.00.

The broader European EURO STOXX 50 Index was relatively flat, inching down by just 0.69 points, or 0.01 percent, to finish at 5,667.48. The Euronext 100 Index dipped 0.61 points (0.04 percent) to 1,703.88, and Belgium's BEL 20 lost 18.80 points, or 0.37 percent, closing at 5,018.05.

Asian markets presented a more positive picture overall Monday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was a notable gainer, rising 174.37 points, or 0.67 percent, to 26,033.26. Singapore's STI Index edged up 2.26 points (0.05 percent) to 4,526.22. Indonesia's IDX Composite advanced 40.08 points, a gain of 0.47 percent, ending at 8,548.79.

In Malaysia the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI was a standout performer, jumping 20.10 points, or 1.25 percent, to 1,624.57. Mainland China's SSE Composite Index also finished higher, adding 25.41 points, or 0.65 percent, to close at 3,914.01.

Other major Asian indices were not as resilient. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 48.90 points, or 0.57 percent Monday, to 8,565.20, and the broader All Ordinaries Index dropped 52.30 points (0.59 percent) to 8,866.40. In Japan the Nikkei 225 saw a sharp decline, tumbling 950.63 points, or 1.89 percent, to close at 49,303.28. South Korea's KOSPI Composite Index shed 6.22 points, or 0.16 percent, ending at 3,920.37.  In Taiwan the TWSE Index fell 283.95 points, a loss of 1.03 percent, to 27,342.53.

Markets in other regions also saw varied results. India's S&P BSE Sensex closed marginally lower at 85,641.90, down 64.77 points or 0.08 percent. In New Zealand the S&P/NZX 50 Index declined 40.66 points, or 0.30 percent, to 13,448.49. Israel's TA-125 Index dipped slightly by 2.39 points, or 0.07 percent, to 3,477.29. Egypt's EGX 30 Price Return Index closed at 40,693.90, down 59.50 points or 0.15 percent. South Africa's Top 40 USD Net TRI Index was a strong gainer, rising 92.08 points, or 1.42 percent, to 6,572.57.

Monday's trading highlighted divergent regional trends, with European markets broadly lower amid economic concerns, while select Asian markets found support.

(This report incorporates quotes retrieved with the assistance of artificial intelligence).

Related story:

Friday 28 November 2025 | Wall Street ends shortened week on high note | Big News Network.com