Wall Street falls, heading for worst month since May 2012

Reuters (31/8) - U.S. stocks dipped in weak volume on Friday, with the S&P 500 on track for its worst month since May 2012 as investors held off making large bets before a long weekend with the situation in Syria still uncertain. Trading was volatile, with sharp swings between break-even and losses as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in televised remarks that Syria's government used poison gas against civilians and made the case for a limited military response. President Barack Obama said later he has not made a final decision on a response to Syria. The CBOE Volatility index rose 3.6 percent. Trading was light ahead of Monday's market holiday for Labor Day, and the anemic volume likely amplified the market's swings. The benchmark S&P 500 stock index is down 1.8 percent for the week and 3 percent for the month, putting it on pace for its worst performance since May 2012. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 52.42 points, or 0.35 percent, at 14,788.53. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 6.90 points, or 0.42 percent, at 1,631.27. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 30.76 points, or 0.85 percent, at 3,589.54. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/30/us-markets-stocks-idUSBRE9770GZ20130830