New York (AFP)

The New York Stock Exchange ended in disarray on Monday, after last week's records, as rising Covid-19 cases around the world cast a shadow over the recovery.

According to final results at the close, the Dow Jones lost 0.30% to 35.101.85 points.

The extended S&P 500 index dropped 0.09% to 4,432.35 points, while the Nasdaq, with strong technological coloring, advanced 0.16% to 14,860.18 points.

The markets "have taken a cautious approach to the increase in cases of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, while continuing to digest the stronger-than-expected employment report released on Friday," Schwab analysts said.

Investors were also weighing the prospects of an upcoming congressional approval of Joe Biden's $ 1,000 billion infrastructure plan, analysts at Wells Fargo noted.

At the same time, the oil and commodities markets ended at half mast, amid concerns about demand from the spread of the epidemic and travel restriction measures taken especially in China.

Seven of the eleven sectors of the S&P 500 concluded in negative territory starting with energy (-1.48%) as oil prices fell more than 2%, also on fears over gold demand black.

The health sector (+ 0.38%) but also that of banks (+ 0.30%), driven by a tightening of bond rates, on the other hand remained on the rise.

This week, investors will be watching US inflation figures for July, expected Wednesday for consumer prices (CPI) and Thursday for wholesale prices.

Another positive prospect for the market, the outcome of the bill on infrastructure renovation was closely watched by investors after reaching a key stage in the Senate.

"Optimism is in" the imminent adoption of this plan, say Schwab analysts.

On the macroeconomic level, a monthly American survey (JOLTs report) showed strong demand on the labor market with a jump of 590,000 jobs to be filled, for a total of 10.7 million in June, a record.

These encouraging signs for the labor market go hand in hand with the anticipation that the US Central Bank (Fed) may announce in September how it will reduce its monetary support.

The outlook pushed up yields on 10-year Treasuries, which were up 1.32% from 1.29% on Friday.

The stock of manufacturer Moderna jumped 17% to $ 484 after announcing that its coronavirus vaccine was approved by the drug regulator in Australia.

The share of the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase climbed 8.6% to 280 dollars after a compromise reached in the Senate on an amendment taxing part of the exchanges of these digital assets.

This amendment is included in the infrastructure renovation project which has yet to be approved by Congress.

Poultry producer Sanderson Farms climbed 7.4% to $ 195.88.

The group announced an agreement for its acquisition by the giant Cargill and the investment fund Continental Grain at a price of 203 dollars per share.

The deal values ​​the country's third-largest chicken producer at $ 4.5 billion.

© 2021 AFP