US stocks end week lower

NEW YORK (AA) – Lower closings in Europe on Friday had effects on this side of the Atlantic.

The Dow Jones lost 45 points to 18,552. The S&P 500 was down three points to 2,183, while the Nasdaq fell one point to 5,238.

The Dow and the S&P each lost 0.1 percent but the Nasdaq moved in the other direction by the same percentage marking its eighth straight weekly gain.

In Europe, Germany's DAX index was down 0.55 percent, while London’s FTSE posted a 0.15 percent decrease and France's CAC 40 saw a 0.82 percent decline.

Oil prices were trying to find direction Friday. American benchmark West Texas Intermediate fluctuated between $48 and $49 a barrel before settling 0.5 percent up at $48.48. Brent crude was down 0.2 percent to $50.79.