Stocks slip after weaker growth, end best month since 2011

FILE - This Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, file photo, shows the facade of the New York Stock Exchange. U.S. stock indexes edged slightly lower in early trading Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, after the U.S. economy slowed more sharply than expected in the final three months of 2014. Utilities stocks were among the biggest decliners. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) FILE - This Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, file photo, shows the facade of the New York Stock Exchange. U.S. stock indexes edged slightly lower in early trading Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, after the U.S. economy slowed more sharply than expected in the final three months of 2014. Utilities stocks were among the biggest decliners. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

By Associated Press February 27, 2015 1 min read

The stock market is closing lower following news that U.S. economic growth slowed more sharply than previously estimated in the final three months of the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average slipped 82 points, or 0.5 percent, to 18,132 Friday.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 fell six points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,104. The Nasdaq lost 24 points, or 0.5 percent, to 4,963.

The S&P 500 ended February with a gain of 5.5 percent, its best month since October 2011.

The Commerce Department said the economy grew at an annual rate of 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter, less than last month’s estimate.