Stocks Ended Lower, Retreated from Record Highs

U.S. stocks ended slightly lower on Tuesday, retreating from record highs, as hopes for more stimulus evaporated. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 68.30 points, or 0.22%, to 30,335.67. The S&P 500 lost 8.32 points, or 0.22%, to 3,727.04. The Nasdaq Composite declined 49.20 points, or 0.38%, to 12,850.22.

Oil futures pushed higher Tuesday, bouncing after the previous session’s setback, as traders cheered another round of pandemic aid spending in the U.S. which may boost energy demand in the new year. West Texas Intermediate crude for February delivery gained 38 cents, or 0.8%, to close at $48 a barrel. February Brent crude added 23 cents, or 0.5%, finishing at $51,09 barrel.