Major US stock indexes finished trading in negative territory

Major US stock indexes fell slightly, with the Dow recorded its fifth consecutive fall-session as investors stayed away from risky trades before the deposition of Donald Trump as president on Friday.

As revealed today the report submitted by the Philadelphia Fed business activity index in the manufacturing sector rose in January, reaching 23.6 points compared to 21.5 points in December. Economists had expected a decline of this indicator to 15.8 points. Recall, the index represents the results of a survey of manufacturers in Philadelphia for their attitude to the current economic situation. The indicator is published just before the ISM index of purchasing managers, and may give an idea of ​​how will an indicator of business activity at the national level. Readings above zero indicate expansion in the sector.

In addition, after reporting a sharp drop in US housing starts in the previous month, the Commerce Department released a report on Thursday, reflecting that the tabs of new homes showed significant recovery in December. The Commerce Department reported that the establishment of new homes rose by 11.3 percent to an annual rate of 1.226 million in December from a revised level of 1.102 million in November.

However, initial applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell for the week of 14 January, according to a report published by the Department of Labor. The number of initial applications for unemployment benefits dropped to 234,000, down 15,000 from a revised level of the previous week's 249,000.

DOW index components closed mostly in the red (23 of 30). Most remaining shares fell Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM, -1.94%). leaders of growth were shares of The Boeing Company (BA, + 0.77%).

Sector S & P index ended the session mostly in the red. Most utilities sector fell (-1.0%). The leader turned conglomerates sector (+ 0.5%).

At the close:

Dow -0.37% 19,731.99 -72.73

Nasdaq -0.28% 5,540.08 -15.58

S & P -0.36% 2,263.69 -8.20