U.S. stocks close lower

NEW YORK, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 245.96 points, or 0.51 percent, to 48,458.05. The S&P 500 sank 73.59 points, or 1.07 percent, to 6,827.41. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 398.69 points, or 1.69 percent, to 23,195.17.

Six of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with technology and energy leading the laggards by dropping 2.87 percent and 0.93 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, consumer staples and health led the gainers by adding 0.93 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.