The main US stock markets closed below zero on the back of continuing decline in shares of technology companies and the consumer goods sector.

In recent months, shares of major technology companies have pushed up indices, mainly due to the publication of strong quarterly statements. However, too much growth of these shares, as well as a number of pessimistic analytical notes about the prospects for the sector, caused investors a concern, culminating in the sale on Friday.

The market's attention shifts to the meeting of the Open Market Committee of the Fed, which will begin tomorrow, and its results will be announced on Wednesday. From the June meeting of the regulator is widely expected to take a decision on tightening monetary policy, as well as providing clearer guidance for the markets on plans to reduce the balance.

The price of oil rose moderately on Monday, breaking the two-day decline after futures traders increased rates for the resumption of price increases, although the growth in drilling activity in the US helped keep the physical market bloated.

Most components of the DOW index recorded a decline (18 out of 30). More shares fell shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL, -3.16%). The leader of growth was shares of General Electric Company (GE, + 3.85%).

Most sectors of the S & P index closed in the red. Most of all, the consumer goods sector fell (-0.6%). The growth leader was the conglomerate sector (+ 0.4%).

At closing:

DJIA -0.17% 21.236.43 -35.54

Nasdaq -0.52% 6.175.47 -32.45

S & P -0.10% 2,429.43 -2.34

U.S. stock-index futures fell as as richly-valued technology stocks continued to be pressured by a bout of heavy profit-taking.

Stocks:

Nikkei 19,908.58 -104.68 -0.52%

Hang Seng 25,708.04 -322.25 -1.24%

Shanghai 3,140.45 -17.95 -0.57%

S&P/ASX -

FTSE 7,535.03 +7.70 +0.10%

CAC 5,254.00 -45.71 -0.86%

DAX 12,712.80 -102.92 -0.80%

Crude $46.59 (+1.66%)

Gold $1,269.00 (-0.19%)

United Tech (UTX) initiated with a Hold at HSBC Securities

Apple (AAPL) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Mizuho

Major European stock benchmarks closed higher Friday as the outcome of the U.K.'s general election, which left the British government with a hung parliament, sparked expectations that the country will seek a softer version of its exit from the European Union.

The Dow closed at a record on Friday even as the Nasdaq skidded nearly 2% as the technology sector abruptly fell in afternoon trade. The Nasdaq's retreat comes on the heels of an early record and marked the biggest one-day decline for the Nasdaq since May 17, when it tumbled more than 2.5%.

The selloff in technology stocks continued on Monday, with Asian markets following the declines in U.S. tech heavyweights Friday after months of sharp gains.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei +104.00 20013.26 +0.52%

TOPIX +1.25 1591.66 +0.08%

Hang Seng -32.77 26030.29 -0.13%

CSI 300 +15.19 3576.17 +0.43%

Euro Stoxx 50 +22.19 3586.07 +0.62%

FTSE 100 +77.35 7527.33 +1.04%

DAX +102.14 12815.72 +0.80%

CAC 40 +35.47 5299.71 +0.67%

DJIA +89.44 21271.97 +0.42%

S&P 500 -2.02 2431.77 -0.08%

NASDAQ -113.85 6207.92 -1.80%

S&P/TSX +50.13 15473.21 +0.33%