NEW YORK—Shares of Microsoft Corp. declined on Monday and helped send the Dow Jones industrial average lower, as investors appeared cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve policy meeting this week.
Microsoft declined 86 cents, or 2.9 percent, to $28.97. On Friday, shares of Microsoft declined when quarterly results showed sluggish sales of Windows software.
The Dow declined 20.11 points to 12,871.75.
Chemicals company DuPont Co. lost 70 cents to $49.18.
International Business Machines Corp. lost $1.39 to $121.69.
On the rising side, General Motors Corp. gained when billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian made an offer to increase his stake in rival Ford Motor Co., saying the auto maker's turnaround is progressing.
GM shares added 56 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $21.94.
Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. rose 91 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $37.95 following the company's nearly 10 percent higher first-quarter profit.
Drug maker Merck & Co. gained 72 cents to $41.44.
