A bad day for bank stocks pulled the Dow Jones industrial average to its third straight loss on Tuesday as many of the patterns that have propelled markets since election day last year snapped into reverse.

A jump in oil prices and some deal news helped send stocks up broadly today, breaking a three-day losing streak.

Energy companies led a broad rally in US stocks on Monday as investors shrugged off another slide in crude oil prices.

US stocks closed with tiny gains after spending most of the day in the red.