NEW YORK: US stocks sank more than one percent Friday as slower growth in China eclipsed better-than-expected earnings from two big banks and Internet giant Google.
After sharp gains Thursday, Wall Street sentiment also was damped by rising concerns across the Atlantic that Spain and Italy may be the next to succumb to the eurozone debt crisis.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dived 136.99 points (1.05 percent) to 12,849.59 at the market close.
The broader S&P 500 shed 17.30 (1.25 percent) to 1,370.27, while the tech-rich Nasdaq fell 44.22 (1.45 percent) to 3,011.33.
"Looks like the steam has run out of Wall Street's sail," said Karee Venema at Schaeffer's Investment Research.
According to the company, "the last three Friday the 13ths have been down days" and Friday's action made it four in a row.