04:07 PM EST, 02/21/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes ended lower Friday as markets analyzed the latest economic data, including a survey showing a slump in consumer sentiment.

* US consumer sentiment tumbled 9.8% sequentially to 64.7 in February, while year-ahead inflation expectations soared, according to a survey by the University of Michigan.

The survey indicated "fears that tariff-induced price increases are imminent," Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu said.

* Output growth in the US private sector unexpectedly slowed in February as the services sector contracted, while optimism waned amid worries over the impact of tariffs and domestic spending cuts, according to S&P Global's (SPGI) flash purchasing managers' index.

* April West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed down $2.19 to settle at $70.29 per barrel, while April Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $2.19 to $74.29.

* MercadoLibre ( MELI ) shares rose 7.1%. The company late Thursday delivered a quarterly beat.

* UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) on Friday refuted claims by The Wall Street Journal that the US Department of Justice had launched an investigation into the health insurer's Medicare billing practices. The company's shares were down 7.3%.