Dow34869.63+261.91(0.76%)Nasdaq15105.58-9.91(-0.07%)SP 5004468.73+10.15(0.23%)10-yr Note +2/321.322NYSEAdv 1998 Dec 1226 Vol 850.6 mlnNasdaqAdv 2155 Dec 2096 Vol 4.6 bln Industry Watch Strong: Energy, Financials, Real EstateWeak: Health Care, Utilities, Materials Moving the Market -- S&P 500 snaps losing streak with modest gain-- Lack of trading conviction -- Strength in the energy and financials sectors Dow strong while the Nasdaq a bit weakDow +261.91 at 34869.63, Nasdaq -9.91 at 15105.58, S&P +10.15 at 4468.73 [BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 snapped a five-session losing streak on Monday with a 0.2% gain, although it closed well off session highs. The Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.1%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (+0.8%) and Russell 2000 (+0.6%) outperformed amid strength in energy and financial stocks. Shortly after the open, the S&P 500 was up as much as 0.8% amid gains across all 11 sectors (the Nasdaq was up 0.7%). The positive start was attributed to buy-the-dip efforts and some positive-minded analyst coverage on the mega-cap stocks. The benchmark index softened up on no specific news catalyst and traded sideways for most of the day, until a modest bump into the close. Eight of the 11 S&P 500 sectors ended the session in positive territory, led by energy (+2.9%) and financials (+1.1%) with 3% and 1% gains, respectively. Energy stocks outpaced the rise in WTI crude futures, which settled above $70 per barrel ($70.47/bbl, +0.72, +1.0%). Bank stocks showed strength despite some minor curve-flattening activity. The 10-yr yield decreased two basis points to 1.32% while the 2-yr yield was unchanged at 0.21%. The U.S. Dollar Index increased 0.1% to 92.64. The health care sector (-0.6%) was today's laggard as investors digested a report published in The Lancet about COVID-19 booster shots. Briefly, a group of international scientists said current evidence doesn't appear to show a need for the general population to receive a booster. Shares of Pfizer ($PFE 44.58, 1.01, -2.2%) fell 2.2% while shares of Moderna ($MRNA 419.72, -29.66, -6.6%) fell 6.6%. Highlighting today's notable analyst recommendations, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on Amazon.com ($AMZN 3457.17, -11.98, -0.4%), Alphabet ($GOOG 2869.30, +20.88, +1.1%), and Facebook ($FB 376.51, -2.18, -0.6%) with Buy ratings. Only Alphabet keyed off the recommendation, though. Nike ($NKE 159.52, -4.07, -2.5%) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BTIG due to challenging supply dynamics. On a related note, 3M ($MMM 185.23, +0.68, +0.4%) said inflation has been higher than previously thought in the third quarter and that raw material costs are its biggest supply issue. Reviewing Monday's economic data: The Treasury Budget for August showed a $170.64 bln deficit in August, versus a $200.01 bln deficit in the same period a year ago. The budget data is not seasonally adjusted, so the August deficit cannot be compared to the July deficit of $302.05 bln. August marked the 23rd consecutive month that the Treasury has seen a budget deficit.The fiscal year-to-date budget deficit is $2.71 trln versus a deficit of $3.01 trln for the same period a year ago. Looking ahead, investors will receive the Consumer Price Index for August and the NFIB Small Business Optimism Survey for August on Tuesday. S&P 500 +19.0% YTDNasdaq Composite +17.2% YTDDow Jones Industrial Average +13.9% YTDRussell 2000 +13.5% YTD Source: (Briefing.com) Disclosure: I may trade in the ticker symbols mentioned, both long or short. My articles represent my personal opinion and analysis and should not be taken as investment advice. Readers should do their own research before making decisions to buy or sell securities. Trading and investing include risks, including loss of principal. If you liked this article, please click the LIKE (thumbs up) button. Feel free to leave any comments, question, or opinions. (Sign-up if you haven't already done so). Follow us/bookmark us and check back occasionally for additional articles or comments on our page... Wild Tiger Trading - start/main page. .