The Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated on Friday as investors followed the latest news about a potential government shutdown and ended what has been a tough month for stocks.

The Dow lost 158.84 points, or 0.47% to finish at 33,507.50, led down by Travelers Companies. The S&P 500 dropped 0.27% to 4,288.05. The Nasdaq Composite traded up 0.14% to 13,219.32.

The S&P 500 finished the month down 4.9% and the quarter lower by 3.7%. The Nasdaq Composite was off 5.8% in September, and down 4.1% for the quarter. Both posted their worst months this year. The Dow notched a 3.5% decline this month and a 2.6% fall for the quarter.

The Latest personal consumption expenditure index price index, which is the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation metric, came Friday morning. So-called core PCE, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.1% in August and 3.9% annually. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected that the core PCE would advance 0.2% on a monthly basis and 3.9% year over year.

• Labour Day holiday in other states on Monday, October 2 (ASX open).
• China National Holiday 1st October - kicking off a one-week national holiday.  Markets closed from 29th September until 6th October. Reopen 9th October.
• Eurozone Unemployment rate tonight. 

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