国际英语新闻：Wall Street retreats after 6-day rally

NEW YORK, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Wall Street ended slightly lower on Tuesday after a six-day gaining streak, pressured by energy, financial and technology companies, even as reports showed a continuing gradual improvement in the economy.

    Trading volume was extremely light throughout the session as many traders were still taking days off for the holiday.

    Energy stocks were among the worst performers, with 34 of 39 energy companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index falling, as a strengthening U.S. dollar left oil little changed after four straight gains.

    Major averages edged higher in the early session as new data on home prices and consumer confidence boosted investor confidence that the economy was regaining strength.

    The Conference Board said its index of consumer confidence rose to 52.9 in December from 49.5 in November, the highest in three months.

    In a separate report, the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index rose for a fifth straight month in October, edging up 0.4 percent. However, the index was off 7.3 percent from October last year. That was roughly in line with what analysts had expected.

    The Dow Jones dipped 1.67, or 0.02 percent, to 10,545.41. Broader indexes also ended lower. The Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped 1.59, or 0.14 percent, to 1,126.19 and the Nasdaq fell 2.68, or 0.12 percent, to 2,288.40.