U.S. Stocks Suffer Biggest Drop In 3 Weeks

U.S. stocks recorded their biggest decline in three weeks on Tuesday, following a surprise drop in durable-goods orders and disappointing earnings from bellwethers such as Microsoft Corp. and Caterpillar Inc. The weak data stoked fears that economic growth is decelerating. The S&P 500 closed 27.53 points, or 1.3%, lower at 2,029.56. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 291.49 points, or 1.7%, to 17,387.21. The Nasdaq Composite ended the day with a loss of 90.27 points, or 1.9%, at 4,681.50.