Features
Wal–Mart, Iraq hurt market
NEW YORK — Wall Street pulled back Monday as investors tried to extend six weeks of blue chip gains but were stymied by war concerns and a tepid Wal-Mart outlook.
Analysts said trading was light Monday as investors had little significant economic news to digest, leading to more accentuated price swings. Selling to cash in profits from October’s big rally also depressed prices.
“What we’re seeing is some skittishness from investors in the near term about the prospects of war with Iraq,” said Kevin Caron, market strategist at Ryan, Beck & Co. “But I caution that we’ve already discounted a great deal of anxiety in the market.”
“We’re beginning a recovery process, and we think we’ve got significant room to move off these levels. I wouldn’t be terribly concerned” about some moderate declines, he said.