Major US stock indices fell mainly on Friday amid fears that the delay in lowering corporate tax rates to 20% from the current 35% for one year could stop the rally in the stock market.
In addition, according to preliminary research results submitted by Thomson-Reuters and the Michigan Institute, a gauge of sentiment among US consumers fell in November, despite the average predictions of experts. According to the data, in November the consumer sentiment index fell to 97.8 points compared with the final reading for October at the level of 100.7 points. It was expected that the index will remain unchanged, at the level of 100.7 points.
Oil prices fell on Friday, but still remain at a high level, which is the result of efforts by OPEC and Russia to tighten the market by cutting production, as well as strong demand and growing political tensions. Market participants also expect that during the next OPEC meeting on November 30, agreement will be reached on the extension of the pact to cut production, which expires in March 2018. "Obviously, the market remains convinced that OPEC will be able to tighten the market sufficiently by extending its agreement to cut production, so attention is paid to any news that supports this view," said analysts at Commerzbank. "Even much more the weak import of crude oil by China in October and the increase in oil production in the US to a record level did not have any sustained pressure on prices. "
Most components of the DOW index finished trading in the red (21 out of 30). Outsider were shares of Intel Corporation (INTC, -1.56%). The leader of growth was shares of General Electric Company (GE, + 2.80%).
Most sectors of the S & P index recorded a decline. The largest drop was shown by the sector of conglomerates (-1.7%). The services sector grew most (+ 0.3%).
At closing:
Dow -0.17% 23.422.21 -39.73
Nasdaq + 0.01% 6,750.94 +0.89
S & P -0.09% 2,582.30 -2.32