U.S. stocks close lower

NEW YORK, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 610.71 points, or 1.51 percent, to 39,737.26. The S&P 500 sank 100.12 points, or 1.84 percent, to 5,346.56. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 417.98 points, or 2.43 percent, to 16,776.16.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with consumer discretionary and financials leading the laggards by losing 4.61 percent and 2.42 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, consumer staples and utilities led the gainers by rising 0.86 percent and 0.14 percent, respectively.