Also weighing in later trade were indications from the Federal Reserve that some of its core policy-makers favor wrapping up its bond-buying stimulus programs this year.

At the closing bell the Dow Jones Industrial Index was down 21.19 points (0.16 percent) at 13,391.36.

The broad-based S&P 500 slipped 3.06 (0.21 percent) to 1,459.36, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 11.69 points, or 0.38 percent, at 3,100.57.