U.S. equities began December on a defensive note, with technology stocks underperforming while healthcare provided some stability. The market saw a tech-led pullback on Monday, particularly affecting software infrastructure and semiconductor sectors. Notable declines included Microsoft, which fell 1.03%, and Palantir, which dropped 2.53%. Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices also saw losses of 1.30% and 1.43%, respectively. In contrast, healthcare stocks like Eli Lilly and Merck showed resilience, with slight gains of 0.06% and 0.29%. Traders are currently reassessing risk factors, focusing on interest rates, the dollar, and year-end positioning.