Wall Street fluctuates ahead of key economic data, Kroger climbs 8.2%, Nvidia gains 3.3%

US stock market indices were fluctuating on Monday ahead of crucial economic data this week that might offer clues regarding the Federal Reserve's interest rate path.

As of 10 a.m. Eastern Time, The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.3%, and the Nasdaq Composite was 0.1% higher.

At the open, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 67.9 points, or 0.14%, to 50,047.79. The S&P 500 fell 15.0 points, or 0.22%, to 6,917.26​, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 79.0 points, or 0.34%, to 22,952.24.

Investors are closely watching the release of US non-farm payrolls, consumer price inflation and initial jobless claims for fresh signals on monetary policy.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury held steady at 4.22%.

Key Stock Movers

Kroger shares climbed 8.2% after the supermarket chain named former top Walmart executive Greg Foran as CEO.

Chip stocks advanced with Nvidia up 3.3% and Broadcom rising 1.5%.

Hims & Hers stock slumped 26.9% after Novo Nordisk filed a lawsuit, alleging that Hims & Hers is unlawfully selling versions of its weight-loss drugs.

US-listed Novo Nordisk shares rose 5.8%.

Workday stock sank 7.5% after the AI platform said its CEO Carl Eschenbach is stepping down.

Eli Lilly stock

rose 2.1% after the drugmaker said it will buy Orna Therapeutics for up to $2.4 billion.

Apollo Global Management shares added 1.5% after the asset manager reported a 13% rise in fourth quarter profit.

Kyndryl stock plunged over 52% after the IT services provider delayed its quarterly earnings filing.

Bullion Market

Gold prices surged on Monday on weaker US dollar as investors braced for a week packed with key US economic data.

At 9:30 a.m. ET (1430 GMT), spot gold gained 1.2% to $5,018.56 per ounce. US gold futures for April delivery added 1.3% to $5,042.20 per ounce.

Among other metals, spot silver jumped 2.9% to $80.22 per ounce. Spot platinum fell 0.2% at $2,092.95 per ounce, while palladium was steady at $1,707.25.

Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin declined below $70,000 on Monday following a roller-coaster ride at the end of last week.

The cryptocurrency lost around 2% to $69,037 at around 7:20 a.m. in New York.

Crude Oil

Crude oil prices were flat on Monday as supply fears eased after the US and Iran pledged to continue indirect talks.

By 1304 GMT, Brent crude oil futures were up 6 cents, or 0.1%, at $68.11 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 5 cents, or 0.1%, to $63.60.

Last week Brent and WTI fell more than 3% and 2% respectively.