ENERGY SLUMP: Energy stocks in the S&P 500 fell 1.8 percent, by far the largest loss among the 11 sectors that make up the index.
The Russell 2000 of small-cap stocks lost 1.2 percent, roughly double the decline of the S&P 500 index of the largest stocks.
Marathon Oil fell 95 cents, or 6 percent, to $14.89 for the largest loss in the S&P 500.
Four stocks fell on the New York Stock Exchange for every one that rose.
COMMODITIES: Gold rose $3.20 to $1,206.30 per ounce, silver rose 4 cents to $17.01 per ounce and copper was virtually flat at $2.62 per pound.
The price of crude oil has been slumping since late last month, when it was at nearly $55 per barrel.
Another sharp drop in the price of oil pulled energy stocks to some of the biggest losses in the market.
