US stocks end lower ahead of inflation data

ISTANBUL

US stocks ended lower ahead of inflation figures Wednesday which may affect the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 154.1 points, or 0.35%, finishing at 44,247.83.

The S&P 500 fell 17.94 points, or 0.3%, to 6,034.91. The Nasdaq Composite decreased 49.45 points, or 0.25%, to end at 19,687.24.

While the Dow finished above the 45,000 level for the first time last week, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also ended last week at records.

The VIX volatility index, referred to as the "fear index," fell by 0.07% to 14.18.

Precious metals were in positive territory, with gold adding 1.26% to $2,693.94 per ounce and silver rising 0.25% to $31.90 as of 2225GMT.

Oil prices meanwhile rose around 0.2%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $71.90 a barrel.