US equities retreated on Tuesday, extending recent market fragility following a comparatively stable August, as escalating crude oil prices dampened investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 628.18 points, equating to a 1.18 percent decrease, to 52,786.07. The S&P 500 dropped 45.08 points, representing a 0.58 percent contraction, to 7,673.52. The Nasdaq Composite Index experienced a decline of 85.58 points, a 0.32 percent reduction, to 26,421.41. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures advanced beyond $94 per barrel in Asian trading today, reaching a roughly two month high.