Markets Right Now: Energy, tech losses hit US stocks

The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local):

4 p.m.

Stocks are closing lower as energy companies fall with oil prices and a winning streak for technology companies ends.

The price of U.S. crude fell 2.5 percent Friday. Helmerich & Payne dropped 5.5 percent.

General Electric fell 2.9 percent after a disappointing profit forecast.

European stocks tumbled following a report the European Central Bank will make a decision about reducing its economic stimulus in October.

The blue chip Euro Stoxx 50 index fell 1.4 percent.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped less than 1 point to 2,472.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 31 points, or 0.1 percent, to 21,580. The Nasdaq lost 2 points to 6,387, ending a 10-day string of gains.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.24 percent.

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11:45 a.m.

U.S. stocks are falling in midday trading, led by declines in industrial companies.

General Electric fell 3.2 percent Friday after investors were disappointed with its profit forecast.

Technology stocks were also weak, putting the Nasdaq composite on course to end a 10-day winning streak. Texas Instruments fell 1.4 percent.

Visa rose 1.9 percent after reporting that its profit rose sharply from a year earlier, following its purchase of Visa Europe.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,468.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 68 points, or 0.3 percent, to 21,543. The Nasdaq lost 12 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,377. The Nasdaq hit a record high the day before.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.24 percent.

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9:35 a.m.

Declines in technology and industrial companies are leading stock prices lower in early trading on Wall Street.

General Electric slumped 4.5 percent in early trading Friday after investors were disappointed in a drop in sales in its electricity and automation business.

Visa rose 1.8 percent after reporting earnings that beat analysts' forecasts.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped 5 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,467.

The Dow Jones industrial average slipped 63 points, or 0.3 percent, to 21,546. The Nasdaq composite fell 12 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,377. The Nasdaq hit a record high the day before.