US stocks declined on Thursday as bleak reports on housing and the labour market dented hopes the economic slump was abating and outlooks from bellwethers like UPS heightened worries about corporate profits. Even so, as some companies, including Apple Inc, posting stronger-than-expected results, investors found some relief, helping limit the market's losses.
Apple was among the Nasdaq's biggest boosts, up more than 3 percent. United Parcel Service Inc lost 4.3 percent to $52.41 after it said profit was hurt by the economic downturn and gave a second-quarter view that was below expectations.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 58.62 points, or 0.74 percent, to 7,827.95. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gave up 5.35 points, or 0.63 percent, at 838.20. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 15.24 points, or 0.93 percent, to 1,630.88.