Stocks Fall as Debt Talks Drag On in Washington

(NEW YORK) -- Stocks are closing lower as hopes fade for a quick solution to the gridlock in Washington over how to avoid a U.S. government default. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 133 points, or 0.9 percent, to close at 15,168 points Tuesday. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 12 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,698. The Nasdaq composite index fell 21 points, or 0.6 percent, to 3,794. The U.S. is expected to reach its borrowing limit on Thursday, jeopardizing its ability to pay its bills....