Rising bond yields and a string of weak company reports and forecasts pushed US stocks lower on Wednesday as major indexes retreated from their recent record highs.

Wall Street extended its losses today as a negative ratings outlook on financial and industrial powerhouse General Electric Co shook an already fragile investor psyche and sent stocks tumbling.

Wall Street started the week with a mixed performance today, with many investors moving to the sidelines as they wait for quarterly profit reports.

British banking giant Barclays today agreed a £35m (€46.8m) deal to buy the Goldfish credit card business.