05.01.201722:38:00UTC+00​Dow Declines as Nasdaq Hits Record High Close

Wall Street fluctuated in the past three weeks after a strong jump in the aftermath of the November election, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down with investors scaling back on a few popular trades. The Nasdaq eked out a record peak finish, lifted by Amazon.com, while sharp declines in Kohl's, Macy's and other department stores pressured the broader stock market.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.2 percent to 19899.29, the S&P 500 slid 0.1 percent to 2269.00 and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.2 percent to a fresh peak of 5487.94. The S&P 500 financial sector dropped one percent. Losses in American Express, Goldman Sachs Group, JPMorgan Chase and Travelers added pressure on the Dow industrials. Department stores Macy's fell 13.89 percent and Kohl's sank 19.02 percent after the firms reported that holiday sales dropped more than expected. The warnings also affected other department stores with J.C. Penney 7.20 percent lower while Nordstrom retreated 6.87 percent.

Six of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors fell, with financials 1.02 percent lower and was also pulled down by Bank of America, JPMorgan and Wells Fargo. However, online retailer Amazon.com climbed 3.07 percent, pulling up the Nasdaq Composite to a record high finish.