Wall Street ends lower after disappointing earnings

U.S. stock indices closed lower after earlier data showed a tumble in housing starts last month, while housing permits rose, as industrial production climbed alongside the capacity utilization rate. 

However, earnings results for Goldman Sacks and Johnson & Johnson disappointed the markets, while Bank of America's results bested expectations in the first quarter, but Wall Street resumed its decline today on risk aversion, as demand climbs on safe havens suck as gold and yen amid political tensions in the markets. 

Dow Jones closed down 0.55%, or 113.64 points to 20,523.28, while Standard and Poor's 500 shed 0.29%, or 6.82 points to 2,342.19. NASDAQ Composite shed 0.12%, or 7.32 points to 5,849.47. 

Gold futures due on June 16 rose 0.38% to $1,291.40 an ounce from the opening of $1,286.70, while the dollar index fell 0.78% to 99.50 from the opening of 100.34. 

On another note, U.S. crude futures due on May 16 slid 0.28% to $52.50 a barrel from the opening of $52.65, as Brent crude futures due on June 15 gave up 0.49% to $55.09 a barrel from the opening of $55.36.