NEW YORK - US stocks ended lower on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 631.21 points, or 1.21 percent, to 51,461.9. The S&P 500 sank 33.92 points, or 0.45 percent, to 7,551.81. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 3.15 points, or 0.01 percent, to 25,978.43.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in the red, with energy and financials leading the laggards by dropping 2.97 percent and 1.63 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, technology and health led the gainers by adding 0.1 percent and 0.04 percent, respectively.