New York (AFP)

Wall Street opened in scattered order on Friday, struggling to end the week on a high note after concluding three weeks in a row lower.

Around 1:55 p.m. GMT, its flagship index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, had one foot in the red, losing 0.01% to 26,812.46 points.

The Nasdaq, with strong technological coloring, gleaned 0.05% to 10,678.01 points.

The broader S&P 500 index, which represents the 500 largest companies listed on Wall Street, lost 0.21% to 3,239.85 points.

The New York Stock Exchange, still concerned about political, economic and health concerns, had finished modestly in the green Thursday, after a checkered session.

The Dow Jones had gained 0.20%, while the Nasdaq had advanced 0.37%.

"It would be a big day if the stock market managed to avoid ending in losses for the fourth week in a row," said Patrick O'Hare of Briefing, who expected a volatile session the day before.

Investors are on the lookout for positive signs on the resumption of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans to achieve a program to support the economy.

There are reports that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi are due to resume talks, but other news suggests that the new Democratic proposal for a $ 2.4 trillion stimulus not going to spend with the Republicans at all, "said Patrick O'Hare.

On Friday, August's durable goods order figure was disappointing, rising 0.4% when expectations were for a 0.9% advance.

Analysts hinted that the market was also increasingly concerned about the possibility of an extended election period, as Donald Trump has repeatedly refused this week to promise a peaceful transition of power if he loses out. November.

"There is in the market a palpable feeling of anguish that there is a delayed election result or a contested result," said Patrick O'Hare.

On the bond market, the 10-year rate on US debt fell to 0.6544% against 0.6659% Thursday night.

Among the titles on the rise, Tesla climbed more than 3% and cruise lines Carnival (+ 4%) and Norvegian Cruise (+ 8.5%) were benefiting from analyst recommendations.

© 2020 AFP