US stocks close lower, Dow Jones posts biggest monthly gain since 1987

US stock indices fell on Monday, but managed to post strong monthly gains, with Dow Jones scoring its largest monthly gain since 1987.

The American company Moderna announced on Monday that its vaccine was 100% effective at preventing severe COVID-19 in the final analysis of the third and final stage of clinical trials, adding that it is also suitable for all age groups.

News agencies reported that President-elect Joe Biden had chosen his economic team, and pledged to restore the US economic strength and to help it recover from the pandemic.

To the oil market, WTI crude December futures fell 0.4% or 19 cents, and closed at $45.34 a barrel, but posted 25.4% monthly gains, after hitting a high of $45.8 and a low of $44.4.

Brent January futures fell 0.8% or 37 cents to $47.88 a barrel, with 26.2% monthly gains, after hitting a high of $47.9 and a low of $46.8.

At the close of trading, Dow Jones decreased by 0.9% or 271 points to 29,638 points, and achieved monthly gains of 11.8%, and recorded the highest level at 29854 points and the lowest level at 29463 points.

As for stocks, Dow Jones fell 0.9% or 271 points, and closed at 29,638, with a monthly gain of 11.8%, a day high of 29,854, and a low of 29,463.

Nasdaq fell 0.1% or 7 points to 12,198 points, and registered an 11.8% monthly gain, with a high of 12,244 and a low of 12,027.

S&P 500 fell 0.5% or 16 points to 3,621, and posted a monthly gain of 10.7%, after hitting a high of 3,634 and a low of 3,594.