Stocks Opened Lower on Middle East Tensions

U.S. stocks opened firmly lower on Monday, as investors focused on escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately fell 124.61 points, or 0.44%, to 28,510.27. The S&P 500 retreated 8.38 points, or 0.26%, to 3,226.47. The Nasdaq Composite slid 33.19 points, or 0.37%, to 8,987.58.

Oil prices added to gains on Monday, with the benchmarks for crude touching their highest levels in at least 7 months in the wake of Friday’s killing of Iranian Gen. West Texas Intermediate crude for February delivery was last up 58 cents, or 0.9%, at $63.90 a barrel. March Brent crude was adding 67 cents, or 1%, at $69.26 a barrel.