U.S. stocks close lower

NEW YORK, March 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended lower on Thursday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 203.72 points, or 0.44 percent, to 46,021.43. The S&P 500 sank 18.21 points, or 0.27 percent, to 6,606.49. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 61.73 points, or 0.28 percent, to 22,090.691.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with materials and consumer discretionary leading the laggards by going down 1.55 percent and 0.87 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, energy and financials led the gainers by rising 1.48 percent and 0.03 percent, respectively.