European markets close mixed, US still negative

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Major indices on European stock exchanges closed mixed Tuesday, while US indices were still in negative territory after a weak opening.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, was up slightly by 0.33 points, or 0.07%, to 473.78. London's FTSE 100 gained 27, or 0.38%, to 7,181.

While Germany's DAX 30 fell slightly by 3.78, or 0.02%, to 15,921, the French CAC 40 declined 19, or 0.28%, to 6,819 points.

Italy's FTSE MIB plummeted the most -- losing 224 points, or 0.85%, 26,224. Spain's IBEX 35 lost 61, or 0.68%, to 8,865.

Some European indices were down for a second straight day amid investors' worries and uncertainty about rising coronavirus variant infections around the world.

Weak macroeconomic data in the US caused major American stock exchanges to open lower, which were still in negative territory at 12.20 p.m. EDT.

The Dow Jones was down 340 points, or 0.95%, at 35,286, while the S&P 500 fell 41, or 0.92%, to 4,438 points.

The Nasdaq was down the most -- 186, or 1.26% to 14,607.

The VIX volatility index, known as the fear index, was up for the second day in a row by adding 12.2% to 18.09.

The dollar index was up 0.5% to climb above the critical level of 93 once again, standing at 93.09.

The yield on 10-year US Treasury notes was down 0.3% to 1.253%.

Precious metals turned lower with uncertainty as gold fell 0.2% to $1,783 per ounce, and silver lost 0.7% to $23.66.

Oil prices also fell into negative territory. Brent crude was down 0.5% to $69.14 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate slid 0.9% to $66.44.

US retail sales fell 1.1% in July from the previous month, much more than the market estimate of a 0.3% decline, according to the Commerce Department.