U.S. stocks close mixed

NEW YORK, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended mixed on Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 123.19 points, or 0.28 percent, to 44,642.52. The S&P 500 added 15.16 points, or 0.25 percent, to 6,090.27. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 159.05 points, or 0.81 percent, to 19,859.77.

Seven of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with energy and utilities leading the laggards by dropping 1.57 percent and 1.19 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, consumer discretionary and communication services led the gainers by going up 2.39 percent and 1.38 percent, respectively.