Gridlock over raising debt limit weighs on stocks
The Dow fell 92 points, the S&P 500 fell 5, and the Nasdaq fell 3, as the debate continued in Washington over whether to raise the debt ceiling
Christopher Ruiz, right, of Banc of America Specialist, Inc., and a fellow trader work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday, July 26, 2011 in New York.
Henny Ray Abrams / AP
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are closing lower as U.S. lawmakers remained at a stalemate over raising the country's borrowing limit. Industrial companies fell following disappointing results from 3M and U.S. Steel.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers have offered competing proposals to avoid a default on the government's debt. If an agreement is not reached by Aug. 2, the U.S. won't have enough cash to pay all its bills.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 92 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at 12,501 Tuesday. The S&P 500 fell 5, or 0.4 percent, to 1,332. The Nasdaq composite fell 3, or 0.1 percent, to 2,840.
About two stocks fell for every one that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume was light at 3.7 billion shares.