Dow 20,000 Remains Elusive; McDonald's Sell Majority Stake in China Business

After coming within one point of 20,000 on Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average's march to that critical threshold remained hard to pin down on Monday. This as oil prices were falling, moving below $53 a barrel after trade data released on Friday showed an uptick in U.S. production. Different data showed an increase in U.S. oil rig count. Plus, McDonald's (MCD) - Get Report shares were in focus after selling a majority stake in its China business to private equity firm Carlyle Group (CG) - Get Report for $2.1 billion. McDonald's was one of the worst Dow Jones Industrial Average components of 2016. Finally, the British pound plunged against the dollar after UK Prime Minster Theresa May signaled that a hard Brexit would be coming. Article 50, which would formally commence withdrawal negotiations, is set to be triggered in March.