U.S. stocks close lower

NEW YORK, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended lower on Monday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 41.49 points, or 0.09 percent, to 48,416.56. The S&P 500 sank 10.9 points, or 0.16 percent, to 6,816.51. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 137.76 points, or 0.59 percent, to 23,057.41.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in green, with health and utilities leading the gainers by going up 1.27 percent and 0.88 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, technology and energy led the laggards by dropping 1.04 percent and 0.76 percent, respectively.