U.S. stocks close lower

NEW YORK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended lower on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 504.22 points, or 1.25 percent, to 39,853.87. The S&P 500 sank 128.61 points, or 2.31 percent, to 5,427.13. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 654.94 points, or 3.64 percent, to 17,342.41.

Seven of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with technology and consumer discretionary leading the laggards by losing 4.14 percent and 3.89 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, utilities and health led the gainers by rising 1.16 percent and 0.81 percent, respectively.