Wall Street stock indices finished with tiny gains Tuesday, as a late-afternoon comeback spurred by technology firms reversed the market’s losses following an early plunge.

The S&P 500 gained 0.2% after falling 2.2% earlier in the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.7%.

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The dismal start came after a long weekend for the Independence Day holiday, when the price of US crude oil plummeted dramatically, finally falling below $100 per barrel for the first time since early May. Bond rates have also fallen, indicating that speculators are looking for less risky assets.

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Energy, industrial, health care and most of the 11 sectors in the S&P 500 ended in the red, despite the late-day rally in technology stocks, communication firms and retailers and other companies that rely on direct consumer spending.

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The volatility reflects growing worries among investors that the economy is slowing under the weight of surging inflation and sharply higher interest rates, pressures that could tip the economy into a recession.

The S&P 500 rose 6.06 points to 3,831.39. The Nasdaq rose 194.39 points to 3,831.39. The Dow Jones Industrial Average remained in the red, losing 129.44 points to 30,967.82.

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Small-company stocks also bounced back after a downbeat start. The Russell 2000 rose 13.57 points, or 0.8%, to 1,741.33. European markets fell broadly.

Stocks remain in a slump that pulled the S&P 500 into a bear market last month, meaning an extended decline of 20% or more from a recent peak. The market’s performance in the first half of 2022 was the worst since the first six months of 1970.

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Technology and communication stocks staged a turnaround and ended higher Tuesday. Apple rose 1.9% and Facebook parent Meta climbed 5.1%. Home Depot rose 1.7%, one of several big retailers that gained ground.

Energy companies had some of the biggest losses as the price of U.S. crude oil slumped 8.2% to $99.50 a barrel. That’s the lowest price since May 10, when it settled at $96.87 a barrel. Exxon Mobil fell 3.1% and Hess dropped 6.8%.

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Banks fell along with bond yields. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which helps set mortgage rates, fell to 2.82% from 2.90% late Friday. Bank of America dropped 1%.