S&P 500 ends volatile day slightly higher, Apple pushes Nasdaq to another record close; European markets close lower with virus, earnings and retail moves in focus 
The S&P 500 erased earlier losses and rose slightly to a record on Monday as investors prepared for a busy week of earnings featuring reports from the largest tech companies. The broad equity benchmark closed the volatile day 0.4% higher at a new record close of 3,855.36. The S&P 500 fell 1.2% at its low of the day. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.7% to reach a fresh closing high of 13,635.99. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, less susceptible to changes in technology shares, dipped 36.98 points, or 0.1%, to 30,960.00. At its session low, the 30-stock benchmark dropped more than 400 points. 
Apple shares gained 2.8% to an all-time high before its quarterly report Wednesday after the bell. Tesla, which also reports Wednesday, popped 4% to hit a record. 
Highly speculative action in stocks like GameStop was unnerving some investors, causing worry that parts of the market had detached from fundamentals and could cause the broader market to take a hit when the mania ends. 

European stocks closed sharply lower on Monday afternoon as investors monitored the coronavirus pandemic, and plans for U.S. stimulus measures. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index slid 0.8% by the close, having gained more than 1.2% earlier in the trading session. 
Travel and leisure stocks fell 1.8% to lead losses on the back of further Covid-19 restrictions, while health care stocks gained 0.7%. 
Shares of Dutch health technology company Philips traded 2.3% higher after it reported a 7% rise in fourth-quarter core earnings, boosted by demand for its hospital equipment.
Source: CNBC