WASHINGTON: U.S. stocks closed lower on Tuesday, with material and health care stocks leading the retreat from record levels. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, -0.15% fell 0.2% to 22,086. The blue-chip average had previously risen for 10 straight sessions, including nine days in a row where it ended at a record close.
The S&P 500 SPX, -0.24% lost 0.2% to 2,474; the benchmark index also ended at a record on Monday. The Nasdaq Composite Index COMP, -0.21% slid 0.2% to 6,370. The day’s losses were widespread, with 10 of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors down on the day. Material stocks XLB, -0.79% fell 0.9% while health care names XLV, -0.46% slid 0.5%.
The only industry to rise was utilities XLU, +0.41% up 0.3%. Adding to the uncertain environment, the Washington Post reported that North Korea had successfully produced a miniaturized nuclear warhead; President Donald Trump said he would respond with “fire and fury like the world has never seen” if the Asian country doesn’t halt threats. Among specific stocks, Dean Foods DF, -20.77% plummeted more than 20% after its results while Michael Kors KORS, -0.99% surged 22% on its own results.
