Dow Jones Industrial Average Closes 2014 Below 18,000 Milestone, But Gains 7.52% For The Year

U.S. stocks closed lower Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling below the psychologically important 18,000 milestone, as stocks traded in light volume during the final day of trading in 2014. But for the year, the blue-chip Dow gained 7.52 percent and recorded 38 record closing highs.