NEW YORK (AP) Stocks clawed back much of the ground they lost in an early plunge Tuesday but still ended lower, continuing a dismal month for the stock market.
Major indexes pulled back sharply in early trading, wiping nearly 550 points off the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Traders blamed worries over slowing growth in China and costs related to President Donald Trumps trade policies.
Caterpillar lost 7.6 percent after saying taxes on imported steel were driving up costs.
Big gains by McDonalds and Verizon helped soften the losses elsewhere.
Texas Instruments fell 4.1 percent to $96.11 after the chipmaker delivered quarterly results that fell short of Wall Streets forecasts.
United Parcel Service slid 3.6 percent to $110.14 after the shipping company reported weak international revenue, while the strong dollar and high fuel prices also hurt its results.
Shares in iRobot gave up 11.9 percent to $80.88 percent after the robotics technology company said tariffs will reduce its profitability in the fourth quarter.
Crude oil prices were headed higher today, clawing back part of a sharp decline a day earlier. Benchmark U.S. crude added 1.2 percent to $67.20 per barrel in New York.
