US open: Stocks head south as omicron returns to focus
Wall Street stocks were in the red early on Monday as the Covid-19 omicron variant was back in focus.
As of 1500 GMT, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.57% at 35,765.37, while the S&P 500 was 0.36% weaker at 4,695.06 and the Nasdaq Composite came out the gate 0.15% softer at 15,607.85.
The Dow opened 205.62 points lower on Monday, cutting into gains recorded in the previous session as investors shrugged off news that US inflation had surged to a 39-year high in November amid supply constraints.
With the US now approaching 800,000 Covid-related deaths, omicron has already led a handful of lawmakers to reinstate health restrictions as part of an effort to slow the spread of the omicron variant.
Pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Moderna were both in the green at the open after Dr Anthony Fauci branded Covid-19 booster shots as being "optimal care" against the omicron variant but vowed that the definition of "fully vaccinated" would not change.
Apple shares were also slightly higher as the tech behemoth edged toward being the market's first $3.0trn company, while reopening plays like American Airlines, Delta Airlines and Carnival all traded lower.
No major data points or corporate earnings were scheduled for release on Monday.