Stocks slide, but Dow holds 10,000

Stocks dipped Tuesday as a stronger dollar and some disappointment about DuPont and Coca-Cola's results gave investors a reason to retreat from the recent rally.

A weaker-than-expected housing market report added to the downward pressure.

The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) lost 50 points, or 0.5%, according to early tallies, after ending the previous session at the highest finish since Oct. 3, 2008.

The S&P 500 (SPX) index lost 7 points, or 0.6%, after ending Monday's session at the highest point since Oct. 2, 2008. The Nasdaq composite (COMP) fell 13 points, or 0.6%, after ending the previous session at the highest point since Sept. 26, 2008.

After the close, Yahoo (YHOO, Fortune 500) reported higher quarterly earnings that beat forecasts on weaker revenue that also beat forecasts.

Also after the close, Sun Microsystems (SUN, Fortune 500) said it was cutting 3,000 jobs related to its purchase by Oracle (ORCL, Fortune 500).

Tuesday brought quarterly results from five Dow components: DuPont, Pfizer, Coca-Cola, Caterpillar and United Technologies. Apple and Texas Instruments were among the names who reported after the closing bell Monday.

Stocks gained Monday, with the Dow reclaiming 10,000 in response to a weak dollar, higher commodity prices and some earnings optimism. But the path higher over the last week has been choppy as investors have sifted through a mix of profit reports. That choppiness put pressure on stocks Tuesday. link....