Dow falls over 200 points on Omicron worries; Fed meeting awaited

Apple closes in on becoming first $3 trillion company; Pfizer to buy Arena Pharma, shares of both companies rise

U.S. stocks edged lower on Monday on lingering worries about the Omicron variant ahead of a Federal Reserve's meeting later this week, while Apple extended gains as it neared $3 trillion in market capitalization and kept declines on the Nasdaq in check.

Seven of the 11 major S&P 500 sector indexes fell in early trading, with only defensive plays including consumer staples , utilities and real estate

gaining.

Travel-related stocks also fell after at least one patient died in the United Kingdom after contracting the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Shares of Carnival Corp fell nearly 6% to lead declines among cruise operators, while