Stocks and Dollars

The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all fell more than 1 percent late on Wednesday, with technology shares among the top decliners.

The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all fell more than 1 percent late on Wednesday, with technology shares among the top decliners.

U.S. stocks intensified their losses Wednesday afternoon, nearing the end of what is likely to be Wall Street s worst quarterly performance since the first quarter of 2009. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 42.96 points to 9,827.34, which would leave it down 9.5% for the second quarter of 2010.

U.S. stocks intensified their losses Wednesday afternoon, nearing the end of what is likely to be Wall Street s worst quarterly performance since the first quarter of 2009. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 42.96 points to 9,827.34, which would leave it down 9.5% for the second quarter of 2010.

Shares of companies involved in offshore oil and gas production climbed Wednesday as drilling operations in the Gulf appeared to escape the wrath of Hurricane Alex.

Shares of companies involved in offshore oil and gas production climbed Wednesday as drilling operations in the Gulf appeared to escape the wrath of Hurricane Alex.

* Indexes on track for worst quarter in at least five * Chicago PMI rises slightly more than expected * Private employment report disappoints

* Indexes on track for worst quarter in at least five * Chicago PMI rises slightly more than expected * Private employment report disappoints