NEW YORK: US stocks fell in choppy trading on Tuesday, with financials and energy stocks leading declines after substantial gains a day earlier as attention turned to the first presidential debate. All of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors were lower, with the S&P 500 energy sector plunging 3.4%, edging closer to a low hit in early April.

At 12:58 p.m. ET the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 156.62 points, or 0.57%, at 27,427.44, the S&P 500 was down 14.07 points, or 0.42%, at 3,337.53 and the Nasdaq Composite was down 5.69 points, or 0.05%, at 11,111.83.