NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks fell for the third day in a row as energy companies tumbled along with the price of crude oil. Investors also sold high-dividend stocks as bond yields rose, giving investors other alternatives for seeking income.
Crude oil prices fell 5 percent, their biggest drop in more than a year, after the government reported a big buildup in fuel stockpiles.
A survey by a payroll company showed that private companies added the most jobs in three years in February, a sign of stronger economic growth. That helped send bond prices lower and yields higher. The report showed big increases in construction and manufacturing hiring.
According to industry measurements and government data, manufacturing and business investment have improved in the last few months after a steep slump. However investors have longed for evidence manufacturing and construction companies were bringing on more workers, and there wasn't much of that until Wednesday.
"It's not surprising that you would start to see the hiring improve in that sector," said Katie Nixon, chief investment officer for Northern Trust. "It's been a drag on economic growth the last couple of years."
The Standard & Poor's 500 index dipped 5.41 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,362.98. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 69.03 points, or 0.3 percent, to 20,855.73. The Nasdaq composite rose 3.62 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5,836.55 as health care and technology companies moved higher.
Private businesses added 298,000 jobs last month, according to payroll processor ADP. That came after a slightly smaller gain in January. The U.S. government will issue its own report on the broader jobs market Friday.
Bond prices dropped. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note jumped to 2.56 percent from 2.52 percent.