Dow Jones Industrial Average Begins 4Q With a Loss

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) spent the day lower, paring Friday's gains to begin the first day of the fourth quarter in the red. Along with mixed auto sales data, stocks reacted to an unexpected drop in August construction spending. Meanwhile, Markit's purchasing managers manufacturing index (PMI) hit a three-month low in September, but the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing index provided some relief, coming in higher than expected, at 51.5%.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• What mid-cap stock strength could mean for the S&P 500 Index's (SPX) fourth quarter, according to our founder and CEO Bernie Schaeffer.
• The IT specialist analysts recommend "aggressively buying" at current levels.
• 2 "bad corporate actors" hitting new lows in Hillary Clinton's crosshairs.
• Plus... A $320 billion merger, a booming biotech, and a big Netflix feat.
  

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 18,253.85) fell 54.3 points, or 0.3%, with DuPont (NYSE:DD) leading nine of 30 Dow components higher, gaining 1.3%. Meanwhile, Travelers Companies Inc (NYSE:TRV) led the 21 Dow losers, dropping 1.4%.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,161.20) drooped 7.1 points, or 0.3%, as the Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 5,300.87) followed suit, giving up 11.1 points, or 0.2%, for the day.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 13.57) added 0.3 point, or 2.1%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today

1. Hedge-fund heavyweights Janus Capital Group Inc (NYSE:JNS) and Henderson Group announced a merger of equals on Monday. The new company, Janus Henderson Global Investors, will manage $320 billion in assets, and have a market capitalization of $6 billion. (Forbes)
2. The U.S. announced it had suspended talks with Russia on a Syrian ceasefire. U.S. officials were critical of the continued siege of Syrian civilian targets, including hospitals, and said Russia was doing little to uphold its end of the ceasefire agreement. "Everybody's patience with Russia has run out," said White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest. (CNN)
3. The biotech that more than doubled in September.
4. Darden Restaurant (NYSE:DRI) dropped on negative analyst attention ahead of earnings.
5. The new hit show that had Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) breaking the century mark.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

November-dated crude ended the day up 57 cents, or 1.2%, at $48.81 per barrel. Today's gains came after Iran called on other countries to join the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in taking action to raise the price of oil and ensure market stability. 

December-dated gold continued its jaunt lower, losing $4.40, or 0.3%, to finish the day at $1,312.70 an ounce. The precious metal was weighed down by a stronger dollar, which turned higher on Britain's decision to start "Brexit" proceedings no later than March 2017.