Economy worries force retreat by US stocks

Wall Street posted a moderate decline today, giving back part of the previous session’s gains as investors once again fretted about interest rates and the economy.

A slight rise in weekly unemployment claims met expectations of a weakening job market, but a greater-than-forecast drop in the Conference Board’s index of leading indicators stoked concerns about a drop-off in economic growth. Higher oil prices and rising bond yields also weighed on Wall Street’s mood.