U.S. Stocks Drop

Bloomberg (13/11) --- U.S. stocks fell, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average retreating from a record, as corporate earnings and an improving economy fueled speculation the Federal Reserve will reduce stimulus next month.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.2 percent to 1,767.89 at 3 p.m. in New York after closing within a point of its all-time high. The Dow lost 30.98 points, or 0.2 percent, to 15,752.12. Trading volume was 6.6 percent below the 30-day average at this time of day.

The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average have touched records this quarter as the Fed refrained from curbing its $85 billion in monthly asset purchases, while better-than-forecast data and corporate earnings indicate the economy may be strong enough to withstand less stimulus.