The S&P 500 fell by 0.18% to close at 5,853.98 points, while the Dow dropped 0.80% to 42,931.60 points.

Investors paused after the S&P and Dow recorded their longest streak of weekly gains last Friday, ahead of earnings from key players including Tesla and Boeing.

Market analysts noted that the S&P 500 remains vulnerable to profit-taking in the short term due to high stock prices.

No major economic reports were scheduled for release on this day, leaving investors to focus on corporate earnings.

Wall Street experienced mixed signals on October 21, 2024, with the Nasdaq finishing in positive territory while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both declined.

In commodities, oil prices rose by 1.6% to $70.32, gold increased by 0.8% to $2,751.70, and silver was up 3.5% to $34.395.

This decline in the Dow followed a record closing high achieved the previous Friday, prompting some traders to cash in on recent gains.

In contrast, the Nasdaq Composite index rose by 0.27% to 18,540.01 points, driven by strong expectations for upcoming earnings reports.

Sector performance varied, with information technology shares increasing by 0.3%, while real estate shares saw a significant drop of 1.9%.

Trading activity may be influenced by upcoming corporate earnings reports from major companies such as 3M, Comcast, and Lockheed Martin.

Tesla was highlighted as a key player in the market for the day, alongside the Federal Reserve and notable macroeconomic indicators.

Looking ahead, reports on durable goods orders and home sales, as well as the Federal Reserve's Beige Book, are anticipated to provide further insights into the economic landscape.