U.S. markets extend losses to fourth day

Economists predicted second quarter growth as low as zero percent for the 27-member European Union and the 16-member eurozone. Eurostat said Friday the economies of both regions expanded 1 percent in April through June.

The U.S. Commerce Department said Friday that retail sales tacked higher in July compared to June, rising 0.4 percent to $362.7 billion.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed lower Friday for the fourth consecutive trading session, losing 16.80 points, 0.16 percent, to 10,303.15. The Standard & Poor's 500 index lost 4.36 points, 0.4 percent, to 1,079.25. The Nasdaq composite index fell 16.79 points, 0.77 percent, to 2,173.48.

On the New York Stock Exchange, 1,367 stocks advanced and 1,637 declined on a volume of 5 billion shares traded.

The benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose 18/32 to yield 2.682 percent.

The euro fell to $1.2753 from Thursday's $1.2827. Against the yen, the dollar rose to 86.25 yen from Thursday's 85.91 yen.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index added 0.44 percent, 40.87 points, to 9,253.46.

In Britain, the FTSE 100 index added 0.18 percent, 9.38 points, to 5,275.44.

Copyright 2010 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).