Investing.com -- U.S. stocks remained stuck in a tight, range-bound trade on Friday, continuing a trend of sideways trading that has persisted over the last two weeks, as the major indices ended July in near record-territory.
The Dow Jones Industrial average fell 24.11 or 0.13% to 18,432.24, suffering its fifth consecutive losing session. The Dow was dragged down by Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), which fell more than 1% on the day after reporting its worst quarterly profits in 17 years. For an eight-day period earlier in the month, the Dow hit all-time and record closing highs on every session during the streak, as jittery investors in the euro area sought safety in U.S. equities. Overall, the Dow surged approximately 3% on the month.
The NASDAQ Composite index gained 7.15 or 0.14% to 5,162.13 on Friday, closing at a 52-week high. The NASDAQ has received a boost in recent days from stellar earnings among leading large-cap stocks such as Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL), Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB). In the last month, stocks in the technology sector have jumped nearly 8%. The S&P 500 Composite index, meanwhile, added 3.54 or 0.16% to 2,173.60, ending the session at a record closing high.
On the S&P 500, seven of 10 sectors closed in the green as stocks in the Telecom, Consumer Goods and Utilities industries led. Stocks in the Industrials, Financials and Consumer Services sectors lagged, each closing lower for the session. On the month, every sector on the S&P 500 closed higher with the exception of the Energy industry.
The top performer on the Dow was Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), which gained 0.70 or 0.83% to 85.51. Shares in the consumer products giant are up roughly 6% over the last 52-weeks. Exxon finished as the worst performer in the wake of its anemic second quarter, plunging 1.70 or 1.88% to 88.50. Earlier, ExxonMobil reported earnings of $1.7 billion or 0.41 per share, missing earnings' forecasts by a wide margin. For the quarter, Exxon's net profits tumbled 59% on an annual basis due to the low cost of oil and declining capital expenditures. Investors continue to express significant concerns with Exxon's short-term prospects, after oil prices fell 13% in July erasing all of their gains from the previous three months.
The biggest gainer on the NASDAQ was Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:REGN), which added 14.08 or 3.43% to 425.12. During the week, shares in the pharmaceutical manufacturer jumped 8% amid strong valuation and growth prospects in its Eylea treatment for Macular Degeneration, as well as its PCSK9 inhibitor Praluent. The worst performer was Stericycle Inc (NASDAQ:SRCL), which plunged 15.66 or 14.78% to 90.27. Earlier, the medical waste company opted to lower its forward guidance market, citing strong foreign exchange headwinds and mounting competition in the industry.
On the New York Stock Exchange, advancing issues outnumbered declining ones by a 1,871-1,117 margin.