The main US stock indexes mostly fell, as the continuing effects of the Fed's less aggressive position vis-à-vis the rates had a negative impact on the financial sector. As it became known today, manufacturing production in the US increased for the sixth consecutive month in February, which indicates that the recovery of production is gaining momentum, as rising commodity prices increase the demand for engineering products and other equipment. The Federal Reserve said manufacturing production in the manufacturing sector rose 0.5% last month.

In addition, preliminary research results submitted by Thomson-Reuters and the Michigan Institute showed that the mood sensor among US consumers increased in March, exceeding the average forecasts. According to the data, in March the consumer sentiment index rose to 97.6 points compared to the final reading for February at the level of 96.3 points. According to average estimates, the index had to grow to the level of 97 points.

At the same time, the index of leading economic indicators from the Conference Board (LEI) for the US increased by 0.6% in February, to 126.2 (2010 = 100) after a 0.6% increase in January, as well as an increase of 0, 6% in December. Analysts had expected the index to grow by 0.4%.

The components of the DOW index have mostly grown (17 out of 30). More shares fell The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS, -1.58%). The leader of growth was shares United Technologies Corporation (UTX, + 1.12%).

Most sectors of the S & P index recorded an increase. The leader of growth was the utilities sector (+ 0.9%). The financial sector fell most of all (-0.5%).

At closing:

Dow -0.10% 20,914.49 -20.06

Nasdaq + 0.00% 5,901.00 +0.24

S & P -0.14% 2,378.08 -3.30

Major U.S. stock-indexes little changed on Friday as the lingering effects of the Federal Reserve's less aggressive stance on the rates outlook hurt the financial sector.

Most of Dow stocks in positive area (17 of 30). Top loser - The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS, -1.41%). Top gainer - McDonald's Corporation (MCD, +1.12%).

Most of S&P sectors also in positive area. Top loser - Financials (-0.5%). Top gainer - Utilities (+0.5%).

At the moment:

Dow 20882.00 0.00 0.00%

S&P 500 2377.75 -1.25 -0.05%

Nasdaq 100 5418.00 +3.00 +0.06%

Oil 49.27 +0.03 +0.06%

Gold 1228.20 +1.10 +0.09%

U.S. 10yr 2.50 -0.02

U.S. stock-index futures were flat, as investors looked for new catalyst for further movement.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 19,521.59 -68.55 -0.35%

Hang Seng 24,309.93 +21.65 +0.09%

Shanghai 3,237.31 -31.62 -0.97%

FTSE 7,434.22 +18.27 +0.25%

CAC 5,029.75 +16.37 +0.33%

DAX 12,096.10 +12.92 +0.11%

Crude $48.98 (+0.47%)

Gold $1,228.90 (+0.15%)

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

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Tesla (TSLA) target raised to $187 from $185 at Goldman; maintain Sell

European stocks leapt to their strongest levels in more than a year Thursday, buoyed by a rally in mining shares, and after Dutch voters rebuffed Geert Wilders's far-right party in a general election.

U.S. stocks retreated Thursday to close lower, giving back some of the previous day's Federal Reserve-inspired gains as a fall for health-care and utilities stocks pushed the market into negative territory.

Investors in Asia turned cautious Friday ahead of a meeting of finance chiefs from the Group of 20 industrialized and emerging economies, where U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is widely expected to pressure countries to boost the value of their currencies.