U.S. stocks close mixed

NEW YORK, March 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended mixed on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.61 percent to 47,417.27. The S&P 500 sank 0.08 percent to 6,775.8. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 0.08 percent to 22,716.14.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with consumer staples and real estate leading the laggards by going down 1.29 percent and 1.12 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, energy and technology led the gainers by rising 2.48 percent and 0.35 percent, respectively.