US stocks close down on Friday

US stocks close down on Friday, Dow falls 1.69%, Nasdaq falls 2.7%, S&P 500 falls 1.97%

U.S. stocks ended Friday with significant losses, marking a continuation of the market's volatile trend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell by 1.69%, the Nasdaq composite dropped by 2.7%, and the S&P 500 declined by 1.97%. These declines came amidst persistent concerns about the U.S. economy and trade policies.

The DJIA, which includes 30 of the largest publicly traded companies in the U.S., closed at 43,428.02, down 748.63 points. The Nasdaq composite, a tech-heavy index, ended the day at 19,524.01, a decrease of 438.36 points. The S&P 500, which tracks 500 leading companies across various sectors, closed at 6,013.13, down 104.39 points.

The week's performance was also mixed. The S&P 500 lost 1.7% for the week, the DJIA dropped 2.5%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 2.5%. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies also experienced a decline, down 3.7% for the week.

Economic data released throughout the week, including consumer sentiment and home sales reports, indicated a weakening economy. These reports, combined with ongoing trade tensions and uncertainty surrounding U.S. policies, contributed to the market's volatility. Additionally, the Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates unchanged last week was seen as a potential misstep by some investors, further fueling concerns about the economic outlook.

Investors will continue to closely monitor the market as it navigates through this corrective period. The upcoming release of the July ISM Services PMI and the potential insights from San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly's speech could provide some clarity on the economic trajectory and the Federal Reserve's future interest rate decisions.

In summary, U.S. stocks ended Friday with notable losses, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty and economic concerns that have been affecting the market. Investors will remain vigilant as the market continues to adjust to the changing economic landscape.