U.S. stocks fall to kick off earnings season

NEW YORK, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks dropped on Monday, as investors braced for key inflation data and the kickoff of earnings season.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 398.51 points, or 0.94 percent, to 41,954.24, after notching a fresh record high as stocks soared to close last week. The S&P 500 sank 55.13 points, or 0.96 percent, to 5,695.94. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 213.95 points, or 1.18 perc