Major US stock indexes finished trading in negative territory, which was caused by a decrease in shares of Nike (NKE) and The Walt Disney Company (DIS).
The focus was also on the United States data. As it became known, orders for durable goods rose in November, which was the last sign of increased demand for US products this year. Orders for durable goods - products designed for a period of at least three years, such as computers and trucks - increased by 1.3% compared to the previous month to $ 241.36 billion, seasonally adjusted in November. The overall increase was due to orders for airplanes, cars and military equipment. Economists were expecting a 2% increase in orders last month.
However, the final results of the studies submitted by Thomson-Reuters and the Michigan Institute showed that in December US consumers felt less optimistic about the economy than last month. According to the data, in December the consumer sentiment index fell to 95.9 points compared with the final reading for November 98.5 points and the preliminary value for December 96.8 points. It was predicted that the index will be 98 points.
Components of the DOW index showed mixed dynamics (15 in positive territory, 15 in negative territory). Caterpillar Inc. was the growth leader. (CAT, + 0.72%). Outsider were the shares of NIKE, Inc. (NKE, -2.29%).
The S & P indexes have completed trading in different directions. The utilities sector grew most (+ 0.2%). The health sector showed the greatest decline (-0.2%).
At closing:
Dow -0.11% 24,754.06 -28.23
Nasdaq -0.08% 6,959.96 -5.40
S & P -0.05% 2.683.34 -1.23