U.S. Markets

Some investors say the recent decline in Treasury yields may not be indicative of a looming economic slowdown.

U.S. stocks finished lower on Tuesday as geopolitical jitters and U.S. economic concerns hung over investors ahead of the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium at the end of the week. The S&P 500 fell 0.8% to end around 2,901. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 173 points, or 0.7%, to end near 25,962, based on preliminary numbers. The Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.7% to finish around 7,949. Fears over Italy's political situation grew after Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned following a spat with Matteo Salvini, leader of the League party. In the U.S., President Donald Trump lambasted the Federal Reserve for failing to slash interest rates. The 10-year Treasury note yield fell 4.6 basis points to 1.557%. Bond prices move in the opposite direction of yields. In company news, shares of Home Depot Inc. rose more than 4% after its earnings beat analysts' expectations.

Treasury yields fall Tuesday as investors deal with headlines around U.S.-China trade tensions and discussions of potential fiscal stimulus options by the White House.

Front-month oil futures contracts settle higher on Tuesday, extending the sizable advance seen a day earlier, ahead of U.S. government data that are expected to reveal a weekly decline in domestic crude stockpiles, following back-to-back weekly increases.

Gold futures climb on Tuesday, with a slide in U.S. Treasury yields helping the haven metal recoup more than a third of what it lost a day earlier when a rally in the U.S. stock market prompted some settling in bullion.

In the age of high-speed internet, encountering a spinning wheel when you try to stream a video can be maddening. But before you call your provider, know that you’re probably already paying for faster speeds than you use. Illustration: Timothy Wong

U.S. stocks rise Monday, lifted by moves by encouraging comments from President Donald Trump and other officials on trade talks, along with a move by China over the weekend to lower borrowing costs for companies.

Treasury prices fall Monday, pushing yields higher, after reports that Germany was entertaining the use of fiscal stimulus and signs that U.S.-China trade talks may be restarted.