US stocks open mixed, heading for monthly losses in February

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) – US stocks opened mixed Tuesday, kicking off the last trading day of February on a lower note and heading for monthly losses.

The Dow Jones fell 115 points, or 0.35%, to 33,773 at 9.40 a.m. EDT (1440GMT). The S&P 500 lost 2.6 points, or 0.07%, to 3,979.

The Nasdaq, on the other hand, rose five points, or 0.04%, to 11,472.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, was up 0.72% at 21.10, while the 10-year US Treasury yield jumped 1.1% to 3.965%.

The dollar index fell 0.1% to 104.57, while the euro added 0.12% to $1.0620 against the greenback.

Precious metals were in negative territory, with gold falling 0.1% to $1,815 per ounce and silver decreasing 0.1% to $20.61.

Oil prices were up more than 1.5%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $83.34 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate at $77.17.