U.S. stocks close mixed

NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended mixed on Tuesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 302.3 points, or 0.62 percent, to 48,114.26. The S&P 500 sank 16.25 points, or 0.24 percent, to 6,800.26. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 54.05 points, or 0.23 percent, to 23,111.462.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with energy and health leading the laggards by dropping 2.98 percent and 1.28 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, technology and consumer discretionary led the gainers by adding 0.32 percent and 0.31 percent, respectively.