For the sixth week in succession, the US stock indexes closed on a negative note. Discouraging economic news and absence of any major corporate announcements dented the confidence of investors.
The Dow Jones industrial average closed below 12 thousand marks at 11,951.91, down 1.42 percent or 172.45 points. The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. composite index was down 1.53 percent or 41.14 points to end at 2,643.73. The Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped 1.40 percent or 18.02 points to finish the day at 1,270.98. Among other major indices, the New York Stock Exchange composite index lost 1.64 percent or 133.26 points to end at 8,016.39. The American Stock Exchange composite index closed at 2,319.27, down 1.37 percent or 32.14 points.