US stocks end lower

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - US stock markets ended lower Thursday due to negative macroeconomic figures after rallying the previous day over slowing core inflation and strong bank balance sheets.

On the macroeconomic data side, retail sales in the US increased by 0.4% month-on-month in December, below market expectations.

During the period, retail sales recorded the slowest increase in four months.

In addition, the number of first-time jobless claims in the US rose to 217,000 in the week ending Jan. 11, more than expected.

Analysts noted that although applications for unemployment benefits increased last week, they remained below the averages in the second half of 2024.

Meanwhile, however, the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index for January rose sharply to 44.3. The index, which reached the highest level since April 2021, pointed to growth in the sector.

The import price index in the country increased by 0.1% on a monthly basis in December and the export price index increased by 0.3%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.16%, or 68.42 points, to end the day at 43,153.13.

The S&P 500 decreased by 0.21%, or 12.57 points, to 5,937.34, while the Nasdaq Composite fell by 0.89%, or 172.95 points, to 19,338.29.