US benchmark stock indexes traded lower around midday on Friday amid declines in the technology sector.

The Nasdaq fell 2.1% to 19,590.3, the S&P 500 slid 1.6% to 5,941.9 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.1% to 42,826.2.

All sectors were in the red intraday, with consumer discretionary and communication services among the biggest decliners apart from technology.

In economic news, data released by the US Census Bureau showed that the US advance international trade in goods deficit widened to $102.86 billion in November from $98.26 billion in October, a bigger gap than the $101.2 billion deficit expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. Exports rose by 4.4% in October while imports increased by 4.5%.

In the same report, wholesale inventories fell by 0.2% in November after a 0.1% increase in October. Analysts polled by Bloomberg expected a 0.1% increase.

Retail inventories were up 0.3% in November, as expected, and followed a 0.2% increase in the previous month. Excluding a 0.4% drop in motor vehicle inventories, retail inventories rose by 0.6% in the month.

In company news, Microsoft-backed (MSFT) OpenAI is looking at reorganizing itself to become a Delaware public benefit corporation to raise conventional capital while maintaining a nonprofit arm, according to an OpenAI blogpost Thursday. Microsoft did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment. Microsoft shares were down 2.4% in recent Friday trading.

A filing showed Friday that UnitedHealth Group (UNH) and Amedisys (AMED) extended the deadline for closing their $3.3 billion merger agreement as the US Department of Justice scrutinizes the deal. Amedisys' shares were up 4.7% and UnitedHealth shares were down 0.5% intraday.

The US 10-year Treasury yield rose 2.6 basis points to 4.61%. The two-year rate fell 1.8 basis points to 4.31%.

The US Dollar Index was down 0.1% to 108.04.

West Texas Intermediate crude rose 1% to $70.34 per barrel.

Gold slipped 0.8% to $2,633.40 an ounce. Silver fell 1.4% to $29.96 per ounce.