Stocks End Lower, Facebook Revenue Up 38%

U. S. stocks finished sharply lower on Wednesday after a batch of economic data indicated weaker-than-expected  growth in the world’s top economies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 138.85 points, or 0.94%, to  14,700.95. The S&P 500 index shed 14.87 points, or 0.93%, to 1,582.70. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 29.66 points,  or 0.89%, to 3,299.13.

A pair of reports released Wednesday showed growth among U.S. manufacturers fell in April to the slowest pace since  late last year. And a closely followed employment survey indicated that companies added the fewest number of new  workers in seven months.

Facebook Inc’s first-quarter revenue increased 38 percent year-on-year, as the world’s largest social network  continued to grow its mobile advertising business. It earned $219 million, or 9 cents a share, in the first three  months of the year, compared to $205 million, or 9 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Facebook’s revenue in the  first quarter totaled $1.46 billion, versus $1.06 billion in the year-ago period.

Yelp Inc. shares climbed as much as 9% in after-hours trading Wednesday as the online consumer reviews and  information company reported a narrowing of its first-quarter loss and better-than-expected revenue. For the  quarter ended March 31, it lost $4.8 million, or 8 cents a share, on revenue of $46.1 million. During the same  period a year ago, Yelp lost $9.8 million, or 31 cents a share, on $27.4 million in sales.

The Federal Reserve held fast to its ultra-accommodative monetary policy, solidified by what board members described as an economy weakened by fiscal policy.

Frontier Airlines is adding a fee for carry-on bags, and plans to start charging $2 for soda and coffee. The new  carry-on fee announced Wednesday will be $25 if paid in advance, and $100 if paid at the gate. It applies to bags in  the overhead bin, so small bags under the seat will still be free.