U.S. stocks close lower

NEW YORK, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 271.86 points, or 0.51 percent, to 53,414.25. The S&P 500 sank 29.11 points, or 0.38 percent, to 7,718.6. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 77.07 points, or 0.29 percent, to 26,506.99.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in the red, with consumer discretionary and health leading the laggards by dropping 1.26 percent and 1.04 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, industrials and technology led the gainers by adding 0.41 percent and 0.23 percent, respectively.