Markets closed out Monday's session on a mixed-to-lower note, with growth and small-cap names bearing the brunt of selling pressure. The S&P 500 dipped 0.33% to 6,326.02, the Nasdaq dropped 0.76% to 20,265.56, and the Russell 2000 was the day's clear laggard, tumbling 1.44% to 2,386.52 — a signal that risk appetite is narrowing toward larger, more defensive holdings.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was the lone bright spot among major indices, eking out a modest 0.15% gain to close at 44,921.20. The blue-chip index's relative resilience suggests investors are still finding comfort in traditionally defensive and value-oriented names even as sentiment elsewhere softens.
Gold continued its remarkable run, settling at $4,527.21 — a level that underscores persistent demand for safe-haven assets as traders weigh macro headwinds entering the final day of Q1. The metal's strength alongside equity weakness paints a cautious picture of investor psychology heading into month-end.
Meta Platforms was a standout winner, gaining 2.03% to $536.38, while Tesla was the session's notable decliner, shedding 1.81% to $355.28. The divergence between these two mega-cap names reflects a broader market trend of selective positioning rather than broad-based conviction.