Major US stock indexes fell slightly as investors took profits after the rally of risky assets, which lasts for the past six weeks. Trading activity in the market is low and likely to remain so, as many market participants go on vacation.

As it became known, a big splash in the northeast and a smaller increase in the south has led to an increase in home sales in the secondary market in November, the third consecutive month. According to the National Association of Realtors, the total volume of housing sales in the secondary market, which includes single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums and co-ops, rose 0.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of up to 5.61 million in November compared down from a revised 5.57 million in October. The November sales rate is the highest rate since February 2007 (5.79 million) and up to 15.4% higher than a year ago (4.86 million).

The price of oil fell, losing previously earned a position that was due to the publication of a report from the US Department of Energy, which pointed to an unexpected increase in oil inventories. US Department of Energy reported that a maximum of 5 weeks of commercial stocks increase, and the largest decline in stocks in the Cushing 2 months was recorded last week. According to the data unexpectedly oil reserves in the week of December 10-16 rose by 2.256 million barrels to 485.449 million barrels. Analysts had expected inventories fell by 2.425 million.

DOW index components closed mostly in the red (19 of 30). Most remaining shares rose NIKE, Inc. (NKE, + 1.04%). Outsider were shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK, -1.64%).

Most of the S & P sectors showed a decline. conglomerates (-1.5%) sectors fell most. The leader turned out to be the basic materials sector (+ 0.2%).

At the close:

Dow -0.16% 19,942.95 -31.67

Nasdaq -0.23% 5,471.43 -12.51

S & P -0.24% 2,265.23 -5.53