The stock market sentiment is currently experiencing some volatility, as indicated by the CNN Money Fear and Greed index, which is situated firmly in the 'Fear' category. This sentiment was mirrored on Monday when U.S. stocks concluded lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average descending over 250 points. This drop reflects investors' anticipation of the upcoming high-stakes presidential election, which adds another layer of uncertainty to the financial markets. On the economic front, U.S. factory orders slipped 0.5% in September, following a revised decline of 0.8% in August, signaling potential headwinds in the manufacturing sector.

Despite Monday's general downward trend, there were pockets of resilience in the market. Yum China Holdings, Inc. (YUMC) reported a third-quarter earnings surprise that propelled its shares upwards by more than 7%. In contrast, Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) has experienced an impressive surge throughout the year, appreciating around 182%, while Intel Corp. (INTC) saw its value more than halved. Within the S&P 500, most sectors posted declines, with utilities, communication services, and financials suffering the most significant losses. However, energy and real estate sectors diverged, closing in the positive territory despite the broader market downturn.

In the wake of these fluctuations, the Dow Jones ended Monday down 258 points at 41,794.60. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also recorded losses, with the former decreasing 0.28% to 5,712.69 and the latter down 0.33% to close at 18,179.98. Investors remain on edge as they await quarterly earnings reports from key companies such as Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM), Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM), and Cummins Inc. (CMI), which are due today.

The CNN Business Fear & Greed Index, currently sitting at 42.9, indicates a cautious market environment, down from a previous reading of 44.5. This index is instrumental in gauging market sentiment, as it draws from seven indicators to assign a score ranging from 0 to 100—zero denoting extreme fear and 100 symbolizing extreme greed. Typically, rising fear tends to exert downward pressure on the stock prices, whereas increasing greed tends to buoy them. Investors are keeping a keen eye on these indicators to navigate the turbulent market and adjust their investment strategies accordingly.