U.S. stocks close lower

U.S. stocks ended lower on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 352.10 points, or 0.68 percent, to 51,511.59. The Standard and Poor's 500 sank 58.61 points, or 0.75 percent, to 7,706.03. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 308.24 points, or 1.13 percent, to 26,936.04.

Ten of the 11 primary Standard and Poor's 500 sectors ended in the red, with communication services and utilities leading the laggards by losing 1.89 percent and 1.88 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, energy bucked the trend by rising 1.04 percent.

U.S. stocks close lower

Oil prices climbed on Wednesday.

The West Texas Intermediate for November delivery gained 1.64 U.S. dollars, or 1.81 percent, to settle at 92.16 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for November delivery went up 3.83 dollars, or 3.86 percent, to settle at 103.08 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

Crude futures settle higher

Crude futures settle higher