Wall Street ends lower, weighed down by finance

US stock indices closed the last session of the week lower, dragged down by the financial sector despite the positive start of the first-quarter earnings season, as concerns persist over the developments in Syria. 

Otherwise, University of Michigan released its preliminary consumer sentiment survey, showing a drop to 97.8 in April from 101.4 in March, missing expectations of 100.6. 

US JOLTS job openings fell to 6.05 million in February from 6.23 million in January, also missing forecasts of 6.11 million. 

Dow Jones fell 0.50%, or 122.91 points to 24,360.14, while Standard and Poor's 500 dipped 0.29%, or 7.69 points to 2,656.30, while NASDAQ Composite slid 0.47%, or 33.60 points to 7,106.65. 

Gold futures due on June 15 rose 0.42% to $1,347.50 an ounce from the opening of $1,341.90, while the dollar index rose 0.01% to 89.76 from the opening of 89.75. 

US crude futures due on May 15 rose 0.31% to $67.28 a barrel from the opening of $67.07, marking December 2014 highs, while Brent futures due on June 15 climbed 0.54% to $72.41 a barrel from the opening of $72.02.