Investing.com -- Although stocks fell slightly across the board on Friday, U.S. markets ended February at near record-highs after posting the highest monthly gains in more than two years.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed Friday at 18,132.70, down 81.72 points or 0.45%. Still, the Dow was up more than 5.5% for the month after ending January at 17,164.95. The increase represented the largest monthly gain on the Dow since January, 2013.
The biggest performers on the Dow on Friday was Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), which gained 0.84 points or 1.98% to 43.30. The worst performer was American Express, which fell 1.66 or 1.99% to 43.30.
The S&P 500 Composite index, meanwhile, had its biggest monthly gain in more than 36 months, ending February up 5.5% at 2,104.50. On Friday, the S&P 500 fell 6.24 points or 0.30%, following losses in the financial and healthcare sectors.
Following higher than expected earnings for the fourth quarter, Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) posted the biggest gains of the day on the S&P 500. Investors of Monster earned 72 cents per diluted share, above estimates of 59 cents. Monster Beverage Corporation gained 13.13% or 16.38 points to close at 141.12.
The worst performer of the day was Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE:SWN), which lost 1.21 or 4.5% to fall to 25.14, after announcing plans to cut investment spending. JC Penney Company Inc Holding (NYSE:JCP) also fell 6.80% or 0.62 points to 8.50 after posting surprisingly low fourth quarter sales. Weight Watchers International Inc (NYSE:WTW) was also among the biggest losers of the day, dropping 35.38% or 6.23 to 11.33.
The NASDAQ Composite index finished with its best month since January, 2012, but still finished short of the 5,000 barrier. The NASDAQ fell 0.49% or 24.36 points to 4,963.53. It has been more than 14 years since the NASDAQ has been above the 5,000 level.
The worst performer of the day was Catamaran Corporation (NASDAQ:CTRX), which lost 1.21 or 4.59% to fall to 25.14. Monster Beverage was also the biggest gainer on the NASDAQ.