US stocks fell for a sixth day, the longest losing streak since April 2002, after forecasts that trailed estimates at Apple Inc. and Motorola Inc. fueled concern consumers are spending less as the economy slows.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slid 29.46, or 2.3 percent, to 1,281.04 at 9:39 a.m. in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 221.03, or 1.9 percent, to 11,750.16. The Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled 55.49, or 2.4 percent, to 2,236.78. Europe’s benchmark index dropped after the European Central Bank damped speculation it would follow the Federal Reserve in lowering interest rates, while Asian shares rebounded from the worst two-day decline in 18 years.

(Bloomberg)