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U.S. equities closed mixed on Friday as a record-setting rally slowed down, while investors kept an eye on France's presidential election.
The Dow Jones Industrials struggled into the green 4.28 points above Thursday’s all-time high to 20,624.05, with UnitedHealth leading decliners and Boeing outperforming.
The S&P 500 recovered 3.94 points to 2,351.16, with energy leading seven sectors lower and consumer staples the top advancer.
Media reports had Japan's SoftBank Group prepared to give up control of Sprint to T-Mobile to clinch a merger of the two U.S. wireless carriers.
The NASDAQ gained 23.68 points to 5,838.58. The indexes were on track to post weekly gains of more than 1%.
The only major economic data released Friday concerned leading indicators, which rose 0.6% in January.
Overseas, according to recent polls, Marine Le Pen — France's far-right, anti-European Union candidate — is the favourite to win the first round of voting, scheduled for April. However, it is not clear whether she will win the run-off vote in May.
Prices for the benchmark 10-year Treasury note gained ground, lowering yields to 2.42% from Thursday’s 2.45%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices inched up four cents to $53.40 U.S. a barrel
Gold prices faded $4.30 to $1,237.30 U.S. an ounce.
