Stocks end mostly lower as Iran sanctions hurt oil sector

U.S. stocks ended mostly lower on Monday, with only the blue-chip Dow managing to hold onto slight gains, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weighed on the oil sector. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 9 points, or less than 0.1%, to around 26,728, based on preliminary numbers. The S&P 500 was down 0.2% to finish around 2,945. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.3% to end around 8,006. President Donald Trump signed an executive order sanctioning Iran's leaders. The U.S. and Iran have been stuck in a simmering dispute over attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz and the downing of a U.S. drone last week. U.S. oil futures settled higher on Monday, even as energy stocks were among the worst performers for the day. Investors were mostly focused on the upcoming G-20 meeting at the end of the week, with many hoping President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will reach a deal to prevent a further escalation in trade tensions. Shares of Caesars Entertainment Corp. jumped 15% after the casino operator consented to a buyout by Eldorado Resorts Inc.

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