Major US stock indexes finished the session near the zero mark amid a decline in investor activity on the eve of the New Year.

A certain influence on the course of trading was provided by the US data. As it became known, the index of consumer confidence from the Conference Board fell in December after a slight improvement in November. The index is now 122.1 (1985 = 100), compared with 128.6 in November. The index of the current situation increased from 154.9 to 156.6, and the index of expectations fell from 111.0 last month to 99.1 this month.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that unfinished transactions for the sale of housing in November rose by 0.2%. The index of unfinished transactions for the sale of housing from the NAR tracks transactions with real estate, in which the contract is signed, but the transaction is not yet closed. The November growth was much better than the consensus forecast of economists, who expected a decrease of 0.5%. The index was 109.5, where 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity in 2001. This is 0.8% higher than a year ago.

Components of the DOW index showed mixed dynamics (15 in positive territory, 15 in negative territory). Leader of growth were shares of Visa Inc. (V, + 0.91%). Outsider were the shares of NIKE, Inc. NKE, -1.10%).

Most sectors of the S & P index finished trading in the red. The largest decrease was shown by the sector of conglomerates (-0.6%). The utilities sector grew most (+ 0.4%).

At closing:

DJIA + 0.11% 24.774.16 +27.95

Nasdaq + 0.04% 6,939.34 +3.09

S & P + 0.08% 2.682.59 +2.09