Three companies also made their stock-market debuts Wednesday

U.S. stocks fell Wednesday Ray ban sunglasses for the fifth day in seven as commodities tumbled and investors focused on disappointing U.S. and European economic data and weakness in overseas markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 71.52 points, or 0.54%, to 13126.21, while the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index lost 6.98 points, or 0.49%, to 1405.54, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 15.39 points, or 0.49%, to 3104.96.

Materials and energy stocks were hit the hardest on a weak day for commodity prices. Alcoa, Caterpillar and United Technologies--three companies exposed to swings in the global economic cycle--led the Dow components lower. Alcoa fell 23 cents, or 2.3%, to $9.83, Caterpillar gave up 3.80, or 3.5%, to 104.26 and United Technologies sank 1.59, or 1.9%, to 81.52. These firms were also hurt by a report showing U.S. durable-goods orders rose 2.2% in February, rebounding from a weak January but coming in below expectations for a 3% rise.

"The fact is, we now are having higher expectations for what our economic numbers should be, if we're to believe we're in a recovery," said Oakley sunglasses Michael Shea, managing partner at Direct Access Partners. "We're at a point where we can have raised expectations--which is positive for market sentiment. But if we don't meet those expectations, then we're going to have days like this."

Oil giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron also fell after a weekly report on crude-oil inventories showed U.S. stockpiles rising by 7.1 million barrels, much larger than expectations for an increase of 2.2 million barrels. Separately, a French official said the country is considering whether to release oil from its strategic reserves. Exxon fell 76 cents, or 0.9%, to 85.86 and Chevron declined 1.15, or 1.1%, to 105.89.

Telecommunications companies declined after RBC Capital Markets cut its rating on Verizon Communications to "sector perform" from "outperform" and cut its earnings estimates for AT&T. Both stocks were among the Dow's biggest decliners--Verizon dropped 40 cents, or 1%, to 38.26 and AT&T gave up 28 cents, or 0.9%, to 31.36.

Health-care stocks were also in focus as the Supreme Court wrapped up a third day of oral arguments on President Obama's health-care overhaul. Among Dow components, Merck lost 49 cents, or 1.3%, to 38.31 and Pfizer declined nine cents, or 0.4%, to 22.41.

Some of the losses were offset by financial stocks, as American Express advanced 84 cents, or 1.4%, to 59.06 and Bank of America rose 15 cents, or 1.6%, to 9.75.

The declines were also limited burberry handbags somewhat by remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who said in a television interview Tuesday evening that he remains concerned about high unemployment. To some investors, that has underscored the central bank's commitment to keeping interest rates low while leaving the door open to a further round of monetary easing.

Ronald Muhlenkamp, who manages the Muhlenkamp Fund in Wexford, Pa., argued that, while companies have been relatively strong and robust, headline risk continued to drive stock volatility.

"There is just so much 'outside stuff,' whether it's Europe, or the Supreme Court, or Congress, that it's not just about the economics of companies," Muhlenkamp said. "I have to yet to meet anyone who has any conviction on where the economy or the politics are headed, and, because there is no conviction, things will stay volatile."

In overseas markets, European stocks fell as investors expressed some concern over economic growth and the outlook for Spain, after Citigroup's chief economist said the country could need a bailout of some form by the end of the year. U.K. economic growth contracted by a greater-than-expected 0.3% in the fourth quarter, and the European Central Bank said private-sector loan growth for the 17-nation euro zone slowed to 0.7% in February.

The Stoxx Europe 600 finished down 1.1%, and London's FTSE 100 lost 1%.

Asian exchanges were mostly lower, highlighted by burberry watches the 2.7% drop in China's Shanghai Composite. It hit an eight-week low in the wake of data out Tuesday indicating profits at the nation's largest industrial groups declined. Elsewhere, Japan's Nikkei Stock Average lost 0.7%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 1%.

Crude-oil futures fell 1.8% to settle at $105.41 a barrel, while gold futures declined 1.6% to $1,657.90 an ounce. Copper lost 2.4% and silver fell 2.4%. The dollar edged higher against the euro and fell against the yen.

In corporate news, shares of Pentair surged 6.06, or 15%, to 46.32 after the maker of water-treatment and storage systems agreed to merge with Tyco International's pipes-and-valves unit, valuing the business at roughly $4.5 billion. Tyco rose 2.28, or 4.3%, to 55.81.

Family Dollar Stores edged higher by 12 cents, or 0.2%, to 58.36 after the dollar-store chain reported fiscal burberry ties second-quarter earnings that topped estimates and revenue that matched expectations. The retailer said average inventory per store rose 11%.

PVH slipped 1.17, or 1.3%, to 88.64 after the apparel maker reported fiscal fourth-quarter results that exceeded expectations but provided a first-quarter outlook that was below current projections, citing significantly higher product costs.

Christopher & Banks tumbled 37 cents, or 16%, to 1.99 after the retailer of women's apparel posted a fiscal fourth-quarter loss that was wider Burberry keychain than expected and revenue that was less than anticipated.

Robbins & Myers surged 4.98, or 11%, to 50.81 after the maker of equipment for energy, chemical and industrial producers reported fiscal second-quarter results that beat estimates and raised its full-year earnings outlook. Hugo boss eyeglasses for men, cheap hugo boss glasses for women 2012 sale.

Sealy moved higher by 12 cents, or 6.4%, to 2.00 after the bedding maker reported a fiscal first-quarter profit, better than expectations for a break-even quarter, on the back of strong international sales and improved gross margins.

Three companies also made their stock-market debuts Wednesday. Annie's, a natural-food company, jumped 16.92, or 89%, to 35.92. Hospital communication-system specialist Vocera Communications surged 5.03, or 31%, louis vuitton mens shoes sale to 21.03, while Regional Management, a subprime lender, rose 1.45, or 9.7%, to 16.45.