Major US stock indexes finished trading in the red

Major US stock indexes declined significantly on Monday against the backdrop of a collapse of all sectors and the publication of weak US data.

Following the news of a sharp reversal of American homebuilders confidence in the previous month, the National Housebuilders Association (NAHB) published a report that unexpectedly reflected a further deterioration in trust in December. The report says that the NAHB / Wells Fargo housing market index fell to 56 points in December from 60 points in November. Economists had expected the index to reach 61 points. With an unexpected monthly decline, the index reached its lowest level since May 2015 (then it was 54 points).

Market participants were preparing for the Fed meeting, which starts tomorrow. It is expected that the regulator will raise rates to 2.25-2.50% from the current level of 2.00-2.25% per annum and only slightly adjust its economic forecasts. Despite this, the Fed is likely to abandon claims of "further gradual increase" in interest rates due to a change in its position of waiting. Most likely, the forecast of the Fed management will assume two more rate increases in 2019, rather than three, as expected in September.

WTI crude oil prices fell by almost 4% on Monday amid signs of oversupply in the United States, as well as investor concern about global economic growth and fuel demand. Oil reserves in the terminal Cushing, Oklahoma, rose by more than 1 million barrels from 11 to 14 December, traders reported, citing data from the analytical company Genscape.

All DOW components recorded a decline (30 out of 30). The outsider was American Express Company (AXP, -4.28%).

All sectors of the S & P finished trading in the red. The utility sector fell the most (-3.0%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 23,592.98 -507.53 -2.11%

S & P 500 2,545.94  -54.01 -2.08%

Nasdaq 100  6,753.73 -156.93 -2.27%