The Dow stumbled into the weekend. The blue-chip index logged its third straight day in the red -- its worst single-session drop since Oct. 4 -- as well as a second straight weekly loss. The S&P 500 traded on both sides of the aisle and ultimately finished lower, but eked out a weekly win. The big winner of the day was the Nasdaq, logging a record close and weekly win on the strength of a resurgent tech sector. Amid the recent market choppiness, Wall Street's "fear gauge," the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), closed at its highest level since Nov. 10. 

The Dow Jones Average (DJI - 35,601.98) lost 268.9 points or 0.8% for the day. Nike (NKE) paced the seven winners with a 2.1% gain, while Boeing (BA) led the 23 laggards with a 5.8% drop. For the week, the Dow shed 1.4%.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 4,697.96) gave back 6.6 points, or 0.1% for the day, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 16,057.44) gained 63.7, or 0.4% for the day. For the week, the S&P 500 added 0.3%, and the Nasdaq added 1.2%. 

Lastly, the CBOE Market Volatility Index (VIX - 17.91) added 0.3 points or 1.8% for the day. It gained 10% on the week.

OIL, CRUDE POST DAILY, WEEKLY LOSSES

Oil closed at its lowest mark since Oct. 1, as rising Covid-19 cases and restrictions across the globe hint at a lack of demand in the near future for black gold. In response, December-dated crude dropped 3.7% or $2.91, to close at $76.10 on the day and 5.8% lower for the week.

Gold also saw a slump in today’s session, as an improving U.S. dollar alongside crude’s steep losses triggered anxiety for precious metal buyers. December-dated gold closed down $9.80 or 0.5%, at $1,851.60 on the day, and down 0.9% on the week.