U.S. equities declined on Friday, as China reported worse-than-expected trade figures. However, S&P 500 is on its way to post the fifth consecutive week of advances. China’s import and export figures both came in much lower than expected, while the new loans dropped to 540B from 920B. The numbers sparked talks among investors that the Chinese government will have to use additional stimulus measures if it wants to handle the country’s slowing growth. The Dow Jones industrial average slipped 12.90 points, or 0.10%, to 13,152.29. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dipped by 68 points, or 0.12%, to 1,401.12. The Nasdaq Composite Index erased 5.58 points, or 0.18%, to trade at 3,013.06. Cyclical stocks, including financials, energy and consumer discretionary, moved lower.
