Stocks give up an early gain and end lower on Wall Street

Friday, May 21, 2021, Vol. 45, No. 21
The Associated Press

Stocks closed lower on Wall Street, giving up an early gain and losing momentum after a solid start to the week.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% Tuesday. Gains by several Big Tech companies helped limit the loss in the Nasdaq to less than 0.1%. An index of small-company stocks fell 1%.

Banks and energy companies fell the most. Investors are still worried that rising inflation could eventually prompt central banks to withdraw help for the economy.

Homebuilders rose following a report that U.S. home prices jumped in March by the most in more than seven years.