Stocks Ended Sharply Lower on Weak Data

U.S. stocks ended sharply lower on Wednesday, with data showing slower job creation adding to concerns about a weakening manufacturing sector. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 494.42 points, or 1.86%, to 26,078.62. The S&P 500 lost 52.64 points, or 1.79%, to 2,887.61. The Nasdaq Composite declined 123.44 points, or 1.56%, to 7,785.25.

Oil futures declined, as downbeat economic data weighed on prospects for energy demand, and domestic crude stockpiles registered a third straight weekly climb. West Texas Intermediate crude for November delivery fell 98 cents, or 1.8%, to settle at $52.64 a barrel. December Brent declined by $1.20, or 2%, to $57.69 a barrel.

The U.S. added a modest 135,000 private-sector jobs in September, ADP said Wednesday, less than the forecast gain of 152,000.