U.S. stocks close mixed

NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended mixed on Thursday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 161.61 points, or 0.31 percent, to 51,349.98. The S&P 500 sank 1.9 points, or 0.02 percent, to 7,704.13. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 3.34 points, or 0.01 percent, to 26,939.37.

Seven of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in the red, with utilities and materials leading the laggards by losing 1.02 percent and 1.01 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, communication services and health led the gainers by going up 1.92 percent and 0.65 percent, respectively.