US markets end lower on Friday

01 Jan 2022 Evaluate

The US markets ended lower on Friday as traders seemed reluctant to make significant moves on the final trading day of the year. A lack of major US economic data has also kept traders on the sidelines along with limited activity in overseas markets.However, the Dow and the S&P 500 remained near their recent record highs, as traders are optimistic the Omicron variant of the coronavirus will only be a small road bump for the global economic recovery. Most of the major sectors showed only modest moves on the day, although weakness among computer hardware and software stocks weighed on the tech-heavy Nasdaq.

Among individual stocks, shares of Lexicon Pharmaceuticals showed a significant pullback after seeing early strength after the drug maker submitted a new drug application to the FDA seeking approval for its heart drug sotagliflozin for adults with type 2 diabetes. Fitness equipment maker Peloton (PTON) also showed a notable move to the downside after JMP Securities downgraded its rating on the company's stock to Market Perform from Market Outperform. On the other hand, drug giant Pfizer (PFE) moved higher after British regulators approved the use of its Covid-19 antiviral pill Paxlovid for people over 18 with mild to moderate illness.

Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 59.78 points or 0.16 percent to 36,338.3, Nasdaq dropped 96.59 points or 0.61 percent to 15,644.97 and S&P 500 was down by 12.55 points or 0.26 percent to 4,766.18.   

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