S&P 500, Nasdaq Post Third Straight Monthly Declines

U.S. stocks sold off in the final two hours of the session and ended lower on Monday. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite logged their third consecutive monthly declines, finishing February down 0.4% and 1.2% respectively. This marks the first time since 2011 that major indexes posted three consecutive monthly declines. The benchmark index closed 15.83 points, or 0.8%, lower at 1,932.22. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 123.47 points, or 0.7%, to 16,516.50, but eked out a monthly gain, finishing 0.3% higher over the month. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite ended the day down 32.52 points, or 0.7%, at 4,557.95.