US stocks fall as investors given little incentive

US stocks mostly fell today as mixed reports on home prices and consumer confidence gave investors little incentive to step into the market.

A decision by IBM to double its stock-repurchase plan propped up the Dow Jones industrials, but the Nasdaq composite index slid after Baidu, the Chinese internet search company, warned its revenue could take a hit as it switches its advertising system. Two stocks fell for every one that rose.