The U.S. stock market closed lower; by the end of the session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 1.72%.

Investing.com – The U.S. stock market declined on Friday, led lower by sectors such as technology, finance, and consumer services.

At the close in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.72%, reaching a six-month low, while the S&P 500 declined 1.67%, and the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.15%.

The best-performing stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average was Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), up 1.62% (3.36 points), closing at 211.15. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) increased 1.37% (1.02 points), finishing at 75.71; Walmart Inc (NASDAQ:WMT) gained 0.58% (0.71 points), closing at 122.89.

The weakest stock on the board was Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), which fell 3.97% (8.24 points), closing at 199.30. Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) declined 3.41% (6.33 points), ending at 179.31; UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) closed down 3.37% (9.03 points), at 259.02.

The best performer in the S&P 500 was Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR), up 6.86%, closing at 109.92; Brown & Brown Inc (NYSE:BFb) rose 5.83%, finishing at 27.24; Teleflex (NYSE:TFX) increased 5.19%, closing at 116.22.

The worst-performing stock was Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA), which ultimately fell 7.49%, closing at 49.56; Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH) dropped 6.85%, finishing at 18.49; additionally, Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB) declined 6.25%, closing at 122.87.

The best stock in the Nasdaq Composite Index was CDT Equity Inc (NASDAQ:CDT), which surged 1,897.46%, closing at 7.85; Artelo Biosciences Inc (NASDAQ:ARTL) climbed 230.41%, ending at 10.54; Iczoom Group Inc (NASDAQ:IZM) increased 93.50%, closing at 0.88.

The worst-performing stock was Iterum Therapeutics PLC (NASDAQ:ITRM), ultimately falling 79.77%, closing at 0.04; Ridgetech Inc (NASDAQ:RDGT) dropped 48.47%, ending at 0.04; additionally, Fitness Champs Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ:FCHL) declined 46.48%, closing at 1.90.

On the New York Stock Exchange, 2,107 stocks declined, outnumbering the 636 that rose, while 70 stocks remained unchanged; on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, 2,681 stocks closed lower, 702 stocks rose, and 168 stocks remained essentially unchanged.

Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) stock surged to an all-time high, rising 6.86% (7.06 points), closing at 109.92. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) stock surged to an all-time high, climbing 1.62% (3.36 points), closing at 211.15. CDT Equity Inc (NASDAQ:CDT) stock surged to an all-time low, rising 1,897.46% (7.46 points), closing at 7.85. Iterum Therapeutics PLC (NASDAQ:ITRM) stock fell to an all-time low, dropping 79.77% (0.14 points), closing at 0.04. Ridgetech Inc (NASDAQ:RDGT) stock fell to an all-time low, dropping 48.47% (0.04 points), closing at 0.04.

The VIX index, which measures the implied volatility of S&P 500 options, increased 13.19% to 31.06, hitting a six-month high.

Gold futures for June options rose 2.86% (126.12 points), reaching $4,535.12. In other futures, the May delivery WTI crude oil futures contract increased 6.40% (6.05 points), priced at $100.53, while the June London Brent crude oil futures contract rose 4.15% (4.23), trading at $106.12.

EUR/USD remained unchanged at 0.14%, with an exchange rate of 1.15; meanwhile, USD/JPY increased 0.34%, priced at 160.25.

The U.S. dollar index futures rose 0.28%, closing at 99.99.