Major US stock indexes ended the session in negative territory amid the collapse of shares of General Electric and the decline in quotations of the conglomerate sector.
In addition, as it became known, the revival of production activity led to a sharp improvement in the index of economic activity from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago last month, but weaker indicators that remained negative for many months restrain the average value of the index, and it will take several months to improve significant growth. The index of economic activity from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in September recovered to a level of +0.17, with a downward revision of -0.37 in August, which was another turnaround of a particularly volatile measure in the last few months.
Oil futures traded neutrally amid fears of potential supply disruptions due to tensions in the oil-rich Kurdish region of Iraq, as well as a drop in drilling activity in the United States. Baker Hughes reported on Friday that from October 14 to October 20, the number of active drilling rigs for oil production in the United States was reduced by 7 pieces, and amounted to 736 units. The last value is the lowest level since June.
The components of the DOW index finished the auction mixed (15 in positive territory, 15 in negative territory). Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. became the leader of growth. (WMT, + 1.43%). Outsider were shares of General Electric Company (GE, -6.46%).
Almost all sectors of the S & P index recorded a fall. The largest decrease was shown by the sector of conglomerates (-1.1%). Only the utilities sector grew (+ 0.1%).
At closing:
DJIA -0.23% 23.273.96 -54.67
Nasdaq -0.64% 6,586.83 -42.22
S & P -0.40% 2.564.98 -10.23