4:01PM EST: US stocks fell, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to the longest stretch of losses since January, after rising jobless claims heightened concern the economic slump is worsening and a decline in oil pushed energy producers lower.

The S&P 500 dropped for a fourth day, decreasing 32.55 points, or 2.6 percent, to 1,242.43 at 3:30 p.m. in New York, sinking the most since June 26. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 304.18, or 2.6 percent, to 11,228.70. The Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 64.71, or 2.8 percent, to 2,269.02.

(Bloomberg.com)