FX.co ★ US stock market closes with a decline, Dow Jones drops by 0.59%

The number of job vacancies in the US in February fell to its lowest level in almost two years, indicating a cooling labor market, while manufacturing orders fell for the second consecutive month.

After the publication of this data, stocks began to fluctuate. Investors were waiting for this statistics to assess the resilience of the economy and get hints about the future increase in interest rates after the recent banking crisis.

At the close of the New York Stock Exchange, the Dow Jones index fell by 0.59%, the S&P 500 index dropped by 0.58%, and the NASDAQ Composite index fell by 0.52%.

Among the growth leaders of the components of the Dow Jones index at the end of today's trading were shares of Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE), which appreciated by 2.02 points (1.66%), closing at 123.69. Amgen Inc (NASDAQ:AMGN) quotes increased by 3.09 points (1.26%), finishing trading at 247.53. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (NASDAQ:WBA) shares rose in price by 0.39 points (1.10%), closing at 35.85.

The leaders in decline were shares of Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:CAT), the price of which fell by 12.42 points (5.40%), closing the session at 217.45. Shares of 3M Company (NYSE:MMM) rose by 2.32 points (2.22%), closing at 102.25, while The Travelers Companies Inc (NYSE:TRV) fell in price by 3.66 points (2.12%) and finished trading at 168.63.

Among the growth leaders of the components of the S&P 500 index at the end of today's trading were shares of Newmont Goldcorp Corp (NYSE:NEM), which appreciated by 3.80% to 51.35, Extra Space Storage Inc (NYSE:EXR), which gained 3.64%, closing at 160.14, and shares of Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ:EA), which rose by 3.21%, ending the session at 125.24.

The leaders in decline were shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO), which fell in price by 8.01%, closing at 127.43. Shares of United Rentals Inc (NYSE:URI) lost 7.71% and ended the session at 359.06. Marathon Petroleum Corp (NYSE:MPC) quotes fell in price by 7.24% to 125.82.

Among the growth leaders of the components of the NASDAQ Composite index at the end of today's trading were shares of Secoo Holding Ltd (NASDAQ:SECO), which appreciated by 139.34% to 1.46, InflaRx N.V. (NASDAQ:IFRX), which gained 83.90%, closing at 3.77, and shares of Cardlytics Inc (NASDAQ:CDLX), which rose by 80.87%, ending the session at 6.24.

The leaders in decline were shares of Nogin Inc (NASDAQ:NOGN), which fell in price by 68.05%, closing at 2.08. Shares of Clearmind Medicine Inc (NASDAQ:CMND) lost 62.21% and ended the session at 0.39. Quotes of Oncternal Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ONCT) fell in price by 56.92% to 0.34.

On the New York Stock Exchange, the number of declining stocks (2103) exceeded the number of stocks closing with gains (862), while quotes for 98 stocks remained virtually unchanged. On the NASDAQ Stock Exchange, shares of 2584 companies declined, 1046 rose, and 163 remained at the previous closing level.

The CBOE Volatility Index, which is based on options trading indicators for the S&P 500, increased by 2.43% to 19.00.

Gold futures for June delivery added 1.93%, or 38.55, reaching $2,000 per troy ounce. As for other commodities, WTI crude oil futures for May delivery rose by 0.21%, or 0.17, to $80.59 per barrel. Brent crude oil futures for June delivery fell by 0.07%, or 0.06, to $84.87 per barrel.

Meanwhile, in the Forex market, the EUR/USD pair rose by 0.57% to 1.10, and the USD/JPY quotes fell by 0.57%, reaching 131.65.

The USD index futures dropped by 0.53% to 101.24.