US stocks dip

Stocks have ended the week with a moderate decline after the financial health of the US consumer came back into focus on Wall Street.

Investors sent the market lower after the Commerce Department said personal spending was at its weakest level in 17 months during February. There are also concerns about the retail sector after a profit warning from department store J.C. Penney Co.

Trading was fairly muted after a week of high volatility that sent stocks sharply higher early in the week and then plunging near the end.

The Dow Jones industrials are down about 86 points at the 12,216 level.