Stocks finished slightly lower, pulled down by a slump in technology share prices and some profit-taking by investors looking to cash in on the market's recent climb. Broad-market indicators were also down, especially the technology-laden Nasdaq composite index.

Profit-taking was linked to many investors looking to end the week with gains in their portfolios. Financial markets will be closed today for the observance of Independence Day.

The Standard-and-Poor's 500 fell 1.71 to 1,146.85 and the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index fell 19.20 to 1,895.26. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 10-to-9 margin on the New York Stock Exchange, with 1,545 up, 1,430 down and 542 unchanged.

NYSE volume totalled 509.4 million shares as of 4 p.m., against 682.87 million in the previous session. The NYSE composite index rose 0.20 to 585.80, and the American Stock Exchange composite index fell 1.39 to 721.92.