At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 141.38 (0.96 percent) to 14,615.40.
The broad-based S&P 500 sank 22.85 (1.45 percent) to 1,551.72, while the Nasdaq Composite Index nose-dived 60.29 (1.85 percent) to 3,204.34.
The losses came after a disappointing earnings report from Bank of America sent it and other banking shares lower.
Apple also fell considerably after a supplier slashed its profit guidance, suggesting, analysts said, slow iPhone and iPad sales at Apple itself.
The US retreat also followed a day of losses in Europe amid speculation of a German credit rating downgrade and commentary from the head of the Bundesbank predicting that the European economic slump would last a decade more.
source: business.inquirer.net
