Weak results at retailers drag U.S. stocks lower

Staples, Dick's Sporting Goods plunge

5/20/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Stocks are moving lower after several major retailers reported dismal results.

Staples dropped 12 percent after the office supply chain said its earnings fell sharply in the latest quarter. The company closed down more store locations as sales shift online.

Dick’s Sporting Goods plunged 17 percent after its earnings and revenue fell short of what investors were expecting. The company also cut its full-year profit forecast.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 35 points, or 0.2 percent, to 16,476 in midday trading today.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index lost two points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,882. The Nasdaq composite lost a point to 4,124.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note edged down to 2.53 percent.