Stocks on both sides of the Atlantic moved lower overnight amid worries about Greece's financial outlook, and as the price of oil slid on concerns US crude output was set to rise anew.
In late trading in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.35 per cent, while the Standard & Poor's 500 Index slid 0.31 per cent. The Nasdaq Composite Index eked out a 0.04 per cent gain.
After a stronger-than-expected jobs report for April, released last Friday, investors are eyeing a US retail sales report, due Wednesday, for fresh clues on the economy and the timing of a Federal Reserve interest rate increase.
The Dow moved lower as slides in shares of Exxon Mobil and those of Travelers, last down 2.3 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively, outweighed gains in shares of Caterpillar and those of American Express, last up 1.9 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively.
Exxon Mobil weakened along with other energy stocks including Chevron, which last traded 1.1 per cent lower, as oil declined amid renewed concern about a worldwide glut, and in particular signs that US shale producers plan to ramp up output.