Stocks Ended Lower, Oil Prices Settled Higher

U.S. stocks end lower on Friday, as investors weigh vaccine hopes against concerns over more restrictions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 219.75 points, or 0.75%, to 29,263.48. The S&P 500 lost 24.33 points, or 0.68%, to 3,557.54. The Nasdaq Composite slipped 49.74 points, or 0.42%, to 11,854.97. For the week, the Dow and the S&P 500 ended down 0.7%, and the Nasdaq finished the week up 0.4%.

U.S. crude oil prices settle at highest level in more than two months. West Texas Intermediate crude for December delivery traded at $41.88 a barrel, up 14 cents, or 0.3%. Based on the front month, prices were poised for a 4.4% weekly gain. January Brent crude added 36 cents, or 0.8%, at $44.56 a barrel, with the front-month contract trading 4.2% higher for the week.