The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) was down 124.91 (-0.2550%) points today, trading at 48,853.01. Market sentiment on this Monday, March 2, 2026, was primarily driven by a cautious reaction to the latest ISM Manufacturing PMI report, which indicated a surprising contraction in industrial activity. This economic data weighed on blue-chip stocks, even as Dow Futures (YM=F) were down 108.00 (-0.2204%) points today, signaling investor concern over softening growth.
Technology stocks provided a necessary cushion against deeper losses. Nvidia (NVDA) led the gainers, rising 2.86% to $182.37, while Microsoft (MSFT) gained 1.86% to reach $400.40. Industrial giant Caterpillar (CAT) rose 1.25% to $752.14, and Chevron (CVX) advanced 1.24% to $189.02 following a positive report on global energy reserves. Honeywell (HON) also stayed positive, rising 1.01% to $246.01.
The retail and housing sectors were the primary laggards. Home Depot (HD) dropped 2.44% to $371.89, and Sherwin-Williams (SHW) fell 2.41% to $354.05 due to concerns over high borrowing costs impacting home improvement. Walt Disney (DIS) declined 2.25% to $103.65, while Merck (MRK) and 3M (MMM) retreated 1.82% and 1.78% respectively. Consumer giants Procter & Gamble (PG) and McDonald’s (MCD) also faced selling pressure, falling 1.73% and 1.64% as investors rotated out of defensive value plays.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.