The New York Stock Exchange and other US financial markets are shutting down Monday as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the Big Apple. The operator of the NYSE announced the decision late Sunday along with exchange operators Nasdaq OMX Group and CME Group. They said markets might be closed Tuesday "pending confirmation."

The exchange operators said they made the call after consulting with each other, regulators and government officials. They cited concerns about the market's ability to function without disruption and the safety of people who work there.

Nasdaq is shutting the Nasdaq Stock Market and other US Exchanges and markets that it owns. Its exchanges outside the US will operate as scheduled.

CME Group will end trading of equity index futures and equity index options on futures market at 8:15 am Central time.