Stocks ended lower on Monday as rising bond yields in Italy and other euro zone countries reminded investors that despite changes in governments, the region's debt crisis could still spin out of control.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 74.39 points, or 0.61 percent, at 12,079.29. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 11.90 points, or 0.94 percent, at 1,251.95. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 21.59 points, or 0.81 percent, at 2,657.16.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)