U.S. stocks close mixed

NEW YORK, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended mixed on Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 259.96 points, or 0.61 percent, to 42,114.4. The S&P 500 sank 1.74 points, or 0.03 percent, to 5,808.12. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 103.12 points, or 0.56 percent, to 18,518.61.

Seven of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with utilities and financials leading the laggards by dropping 1.46 percent and 1.05 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, communication services and technology led the gainers by going up 0.71 percent and 0.59 percent, respectively.