Major US stock indexes finished the session below the zero mark

Major US stock indices declined moderately on Tuesday, retreating from record levels, as a sharp fall in oil prices affected the shares of energy companies, and the restoration of shares in technical companies was suspended.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Department's report showed that in the first quarter the current account deficit in the US increased slightly as the country imported more oil, spare parts and supplies for its factories. According to the report, the current account deficit increased by 2.4% to $ 116.8 billion. The current account deficit for the fourth quarter of 2016 was revised to $ 114 billion compared to the previously reported $ 112.4 billion. Economists predicted that the deficit would increase to $ 124 billion The current account deficit in the first quarter was 2.5% of gross domestic product, compared to 2.4% in the fourth quarter.

Oil prices fell about 2.0%, reaching 7-month lows. Quotations were pressured by the news of an increase in supply by several key producers, which undermines attempts by OPEC and other countries outside the cartel to support the market by reducing oil production.

Most of the components of the DOW index closed in the red (20 of 30). Most fell shares of General Electric Company (GE, -2.33%). Leader of the growth were shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK, + 1.44%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P index recorded a decline. Most of all fell the sector of basic materials (-1.8%). Growth was demonstrated only by the health sector (+ 0.3%).

At closing:

DJIA -0.29% 21.467.35 -61.64

Nasdaq -0.82% 6,188.03 -50.98

S & P -0.67% 2,437.11 -16.35