US stocks end lower as investors weight tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine

The U.S. stock market is ending lower as investors brace for a critical vote this weekend over the future Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula.

The region is holding a vote on Sunday, which is widely expected to back splitting off from Ukraine. The U.S. and Europe have warned Russia of consequences if it moves to seize the region. The U.S. and Russia found “no common vision” over the crises after hours of talks on Friday.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell five points, or 0.3 per cent, to close at 1,841 Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 43 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 16,065. The Nasdaq slipped 15 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 4,245.

Aeropostale fell $1.47, or 20 per cent, to $5.83 after the teen clothing retailer reported a wider loss.