Dow Jones, S&P 500 fall with Ukraine crisis

ANKARA

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 closed lower Monday amid concerns over the crisis in Ukraine.

The blue-chip Dow fell 171 points, or 0.49%, to end the day at 34,566. The S&P 500 lost almost 17 points, or 0.38%, to finish at 4,401.

The Nasdaq closed flat at 13,790 points.

The US on Friday warned of an imminent attack by Russia on Ukraine and urged Americans to leave in 48 hours.

Earlier on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the possibilities for a dialogue with the West on Russia's security guarantee proposal are not exhausted, but some reports claimed that Russia could attack Ukraine on Wednesday.

Amid rising geopolitical risks, the VIX volatility index was up 3.5% at 28.33.

The dollar index rose 0.22% to 96.29, but the yield on 10-year US Treasuries reversed course to fall 1% to 1.975%.

Precious metals were up, with gold adding 0.05% to $1,872 per ounce and silver rising 0.2% to $23.89.

Rising risks have continued to push crude oil prices higher, but they showed some pullback from their highest levels in almost eight years.

Brent crude was trading around $95.78, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude was at $94.83.