NEW YORK: US stocks ended slightly lower on Friday, as investors locked in gains from a strong rally the previous day, while debt prices were narrowly mixed in directionless trade amid a dearth of news on the economy.
Thursday’s hefty stock-market run-up sent the major market gauges to their highest levels since the first half of last year. After that advance, investors were more cautious as corporate America approaches the earnings warning season, when many companies issue forecasts for the current quarter.