Settling with a more modest loss today, the tech-heavy Nasdaq logged its third consecutive session in the red, while the S&P 500 marked its fifth. The Dow fared no better, dropping triple digits as investors looked ahead to tomorrow's highly anticipated speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Jobs data for last week showed unemployment at its highest level since June 21, while home sales climbed 2% in July. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), known as the stock market's "fear gauge," notched a third-straight win.

GOLD SLIPS AS U.S. DOLLAR STRENGTHENS

Increased demand in the U.S. and worries surrounding the war in Ukraine pushed crude higher. September-dated West Texas Intermediate (WTI) added 81 cents, or 1.3%, to settle at $63.52 per barrel.

Gold moved lower as the greenback recovered slightly from yesterday's drop, and investors eyed the Fed speech due out tomorrow. December-dated gold fell around 0.2%, to close at $3,386.50 per ounce.

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