US stocks and bonds fell yesterday in shortened trading sessions ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, with equity markets battered by more companies warning of lower earnings.
Crude oil futures rose and the dollar was little changed against major currencies. Most US financial markets will be closed on Wednesday for Independence Day.
Profit-warnings from internet security firms such as Internet Security Systems dented high-tech shares.
The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index fell 7.92 points, or 0.37 per cent, to 2,140.80.
Blue-chips took a hit after top chemical-maker DuPont said it would miss earnings forecasts because of the struggling economy. The Dow Jones industrial average was off 22.61 points, or 0.21 per
cent, at 10,571.11, while the Standard & Poor's 500 Index lost 2.26 points, or 0.18 per cent, at 1,234.45.
US Treasuries fell for the sixth time in seven days after a jump in factory orders in May underlined budding optimism the economy has weathered the worst of a sharp slowdown.
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