U.S. stocks close lower

NEW YORK, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 305.87 points, or 0.70 percent, to 43,444.99. The S&P 500 sank 78.55 points, or 1.32 percent, to 5,870.62. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 427.53 points, or 2.24 percent, to 18,680.12.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with technology and health leading the laggards by dropping 2.49 percent and 1.88 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, utilities and financials led the gainers by going up 1.47 percent and 0.53 percent, respectively.