Stocks erase gain as yields dip on growth concerns

The S&P 500, Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq 100 fell from earlier highs as investors considered the impact of the 10-year Treasury yield hitting as low as 1.15% on Monday, putting concerns about growth in focus.

"I think people are looking at the sharp drop in long rates and flattening of the yield curve and they are getting worried about economic growth," said Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer for Bleakley Advisory Group. "That growth concern comes from the inflation-driven slowdown we're seeing in some sectors in addition to delta variant worries in emerging markets."

U.S. equities initially followed stocks in Europe and Asia higher amid upbeat earnings and a surge in corporate dealmaking, which had offset concerns over the spread of the delta virus variant and China's regulatory crackdown. Square Inc.'s $29 billion deal for Afterpay Ltd. has put global dealmakers on course for the busiest-ever summer. Meanwhile, China's market regulator has called for more cooperation with the U.S. on initial public offerings.

The unsteady moves at the start of the month come as August has historically been a month that starts off weak, especially if the S&P 500 is already up over 10%, according to Bespoke Investment Group LLC.

"Maybe in a year in which the S&P 500 performs so strongly heading into August, a pause is just what it needs before finishing off the year strong," the Harrison, New York-based firm wrote in a note Monday.

But while August may be weaker, stock market bulls can claim to have history on their side. The S&P 500 rose for a sixth straight month in July -- the longest such streak since 2018 -- and the average 12-month return after similar runs in the past half century is 8.3%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Many risks remain, however.

A surge in the covid-19 delta variant could harm the U.S. recovery and keep some Americans from looking for work, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said ahead of Friday's U.S. jobs report.

Unexpectedly weak growth in manufacturing could also add to expectations for a steadier recovery after a key factory reading from China also slipped.

Meanwhile, tensions with Iran over a deadly attack on a tanker could also weigh on markets. Crude oil was lower on Monday after the U.S., Israel and the U.K. vowed to respond to the attack.

Matt Maley, chief market strategist for Miller Tabak + Co., said Monday's performance could be attributed to bond yields and the drop in oil prices facing lower demand.

"If that is signaling lower growth, that could be a problem for stocks," he said.

Here are the main moves in the markets:

Stocks

Futures on the S&P 500 fell 0.2% as of 4:18 p.m. EDT

Futures on the Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.2%

The MSCI World index rose 0.4%

Currencies

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed

The euro was little changed at $1.1871

The British pound fell 0.1% to $1.3888

The Japanese yen rose 0.4% to 109.31 per dollar

Bonds

The yield on 10-year Treasurys declined five basis points to 1.17%

Germany's 10-year yield declined three basis points to -0.49%

Britain's 10-year yield declined four basis points to 0.52%

Commodities

West Texas Intermediate crude fell 3.4% to $71.46 a barrel

Gold futures were little changed