💎 Fed’s first rate cut since 2020 set to trigger market. Find undervalued gems with Fair ValueSee Undervalued Stocks

US STOCKS-Wall St falls on economic worries, energy shares

Published 06/22/2009, 10:31 AM
Updated 06/22/2009, 10:40 AM
CVX
-
GILD
-
XOM
-
MS
-
TGT
-
WBA
-

* Energy shares fall alongside oil prices

* Investors wary of possible correction after run-up

* Dow off 1.3 pct, S&P off 1.7 pct, Nasdaq off 2 pct (Updates to early morning)

By Leah Schnurr

NEW YORK, June 22 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks slid on Monday as investors questioned the strength of an economic recovery, while energy shares were dragged down by lower oil prices.

After a sharp three-month rally, indexes have eased as traders increasingly questioned if stocks are due for a correction. Worries that the economic recovery could be tepid have wilted the optimism that drove the S&P 500 up by as much as 40 percent from the 12-year low in March.

Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp were the biggest drags on the Dow as the price of oil fell below $68 a barrel on the stronger dollar. Exxon was down 2 percent to $69.61, while Chevron fell 2.5 percent to $66.34.

While higher oil prices can be a boon for energy companies, rising prices can force consumers to further curb spending, potentially stalling any budding stabilization. Exxon was down 2.5 percent at $69.30, and Chevron lost 2.9 percent to $66.11.

"While the worst might be over, it doesn't mean we're off to strong growth in any of the major economies globally," said Alan Lancz, president of Alan B. Lancz & Associates Inc in Toledo, Ohio.

The World Bank said prospects for the global economy remain "unusually uncertain" as it cut 2009 growth forecasts for most economies.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 109.66 points, or 1.28 percent, to 8,430.07. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gave up 15.93 points, or 1.73 percent, at 905.30. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 36.54 points, or 2 percent, to 1,790.93.

The S&P 500 is still up nearly 34 percent from the March trough.

Walgreen Co fell 4.1 percent to $30.14 after the big drugstore chain posted slightly lower third-quarter profit as shoppers stuck to the necessities. In the same sector, CVS Caremark Corp slid 2.5 percent to $66.34.

On the Nasdaq, Gilead Sciences Inc was down 2.1 percent at $46.03 after Morgan Stanley cut its price target on the company's stock to $59 from $62.

Apple Inc swung between gains and losses and were off 1 percent to $138.13. Apple said it sold more than 1 million units of its newest iPhone in the first three days of the launch.

But over the weekend it was reported Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs had a liver transplant about two months ago. Jobs is expected to return to work later this month.

Investors are also cautious ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting that starts on Tuesday, bracing for Fed guidance on growth and any hints on expanding the central bank's $300 billion program of Treasuries purchases.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.