After the previous day's record highs, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the broad S&P 500 both closed down 0.4 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.9 percent.
Software giant Microsoft's shares fell 4.0 percent. According to Bloomberg, the company has announced a comprehensive buyout package for veteran US employees. Around 7 percent, or 8,750 people, of its US staff meet the criteria for voluntary early retirement under the program.
Facebook owner Meta is cutting 10 percent of its staff as part of a severance package. The stock fell 2.3 percent.
Both North Sea oil and US WTI oil rose approximately 3.8 percent to just over $105 and just over $96 per barrel, respectively.
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