Fed Uncertainty Sends Stocks Down

U.S. stocks fell on Thursday after mixed economic data left traders guessing when the Federal
Reserve would begin to slow its stimulus program. The Dow dropped 68.26 points, or 0.43%, to
15,821.51. The S&P 500 slid 7.78 points, or 0.43%, to 1,785.03. The Nasdaq Composite shed 4.84
points, or 0.12%, to 4,033.16.

Sign-carrying employees and others marched in front of McDonald’s restaurants in Detroit during
rallies Thursday against low wages for fast-food workers.

President Obama has ordered federal agencies to more than double their renewable energy use over
the next seven years, part of his ongoing attempt to find ways to cut carbon emissions without
cooperation from Congress.

European Central Bank offered a more optimistic view of the cloudy euro zone. The bank, saying
growth was poised “to gain some traction” as record-low interest rates began to flow to businesses
and consumers in the form of cheaper loans, raised its forecast for 2014 slightly.