U.S. stocks fell Tuesday, but the S&P 500 was on track for a monthly gain. Investors' new expectations for the pace of U.S. interest-rate increases changed the complexion of the markets in May, with many pivoting from worries that rising rates would hurt stocks to embracing them as a sign of a more robust economy. Midway through the month, major indexes gave up much of their gains for the year after improving U.S. economic data and a handful of upbeat comments from Federal Reserve officials signaled that a rate rise could come as soon as June. Now the Dow industrials have gained around 1.8% in 2016, while the S&P 500 is up more than 2%. Financial shares in the S&P 500 climbed 1.6%, with investors saying higher interest rates could boost profits at banks.
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