US stocks declined on Wednesday as weak export data from Japan and Greece's meetings this week with European Union officials gave investors reasons to pull back after the recent rally. Japan's exports slumped the most in six months in July as shipments to Europe and China tumbled, adding to concerns over global demand.
The S&P 500 hit its highest level in more than four years on Tuesday but failed to hold peak and the index closed in the red. However, its steady move higher has lifted short-term support to the 1,400 level, although the index may need a positive catalyst to extend the rally.
Among the most traded US stocks Wednesday was Dell Inc, down 6.8 percent to $11.50 a day after the No 2 US PC maker warned of a challenging second half and slashed its full-year earnings outlook. The NYSEArca computer hardware index lost 1.6 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 71.72 points, or 0.54 percent, to 13,131.86. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index lost 5.55 points, or 0.39 percent, to 1,407.62. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 8.24 points, or 0.27 percent, to 3,059.02.