Plunging bond prices drags market lower

Stocks fell steeply in New York again yesterday as Intel's disappointing earnings report hammered technology shares and plunging…

Stocks fell steeply in New York again yesterday as Intel's disappointing earnings report hammered technology shares and plunging bond prices dragged the broader market lower.

At close of trading on Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 184.90 at 10,232.16, extending its drop of 231.12 on Tuesday. Broader stock indicators were also sharply lower.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 7-to-3 margin on the New York Stock Exchange, with 2,154 down, 929 up and 470 unchanged.

NYSE volume totalled 813.77 million shares, against 769.11 million in the previous session.

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The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 5.36 to 419.32.

Intel, often considered a bellwether stock for the technology sector, tumbled. The company, the world's largest manufacturer of semiconductors, reported late on Tuesday it earned 55 cents a share in the quarter, 2 cents below analysts' forecasts.

Analysts said improving global growth prospects are drawing foreign investors away from US equities.