US Stocks Close Lower

New york: Major stock indices on Wall Street closed mixed at the end of trading today. The Standard and Poor's 500 index fell 2.32 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 7136.48 points, while the Nasdaq Composite index rose 15.26 points, or 0.06 percent, to 24679.06. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 272.77 points, or 0.56 percent, to end trading at 48,869.16 points. According to Qatar News Agency, the mixed performance of the stock indices reflects varied investor sentiment. The decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average indicates a cautious approach by investors, while the slight increase in the Nasdaq Composite index suggests continued interest in technology and growth stocks. The marginal drop in the S and P 500 index further highlights the uncertainty in the market.