U.S. stocks close lower on Middle East conflict

NEW YORK, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended lower on Tuesday, after Iran fired more than 100 missiles toward Israel in retaliation for the ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 173.18 points, or 0.41 percent, to 42,156.97. The S&P 500 sank 53.73 points, or 0.93 percent, to 5,708.75. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 278.81 points, or 1.53 percent, to 17,910.36.

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