December 20, 2018: The S&P 500 closed down 1.6% at 2,467.05. The DJIA closed down 2.0% at 22,854.58. Separately, the Nasdaq closed down 1.6% at 6,528.41.
Thursday was a down day for the broad U.S. markets. Each of the major exchanges turned lower in the session, putting the Dow and S&P 500 on track for their worst December since 1931. Crude oil posted another big loss on the day dipping even further below $50. The S&P 500 sectors were almost entirely negative. The most positive sector was utilities up 0.2%. The worst performing sectors were energy and consumer discretionary down 2.9%, and 2.4%, respectively.
Crude oil was last seen down 4.3% at $46.10.
Gold was last seen trading up 0.8% at $1,266.60.
The S&P 500 stock posting the largest daily percentage loss ahead of the close was Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) which traded down about 16% at $24.27. The stock’s 52-week range is $23.98 to $39.43. Volume was roughly 18 million compared to the daily average volume of 7.3 million.
The S&P 500 stock posting the largest daily percentage gain in the S&P 500 ahead of the close was Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE: NEM) which rose by more than 6% to $34.09. The stock’s 52-week range is $29.06 to $42.04. Volume was nearly 10 million compared to the daily average volume of 6.2 million.
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