Stocks fell Wednesday as a sell-off in gold, silver and crude oil battered mining and energy shares. Generic-drug maker Mylan (MYL) fell sharply for a second day.
The Nasdaq lost 0.8%, the S&P 500 fell 0.5% and the Dow Jones industrial average slipped 0.4%. Volume rose 8% on the Nasdaq and 4% on the S&P 500 compared with Tuesday, according to preliminary data.
After the close, Workday (WDAY), a developer of cloud-based software for human resources applications, rose more than 3% after its quarterly earnings report.
HP Inc. (HPQ) dropped more than 4% following its quarterly results after the close. The stock hit a new high intraday before reversing lower and ending down 1% during the regular session.
In the stock market today, Mylan fell more than 5% in heavy volume amid mounting criticism over huge prices increases for allergy drug EpiPen. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called on Mylan to drop the price of EpiPen, which has increased in price by 400% in the past decade. Clinton called the price hike "outrageous."
Mylan is down 11% so far this week and has sliced through its 200-day and 50-day moving averages.
Meanwhile, gold stocks fell as prices of the yellow metal sank 1% and Goldcorp (GG) plunged after Mexican regulators said they were investigating the Canadian miner over a leak of contaminated water at the country's biggest mine.
Goldcorp dropped 9%, while Freeport McMoRan (FCX) sank more than 7%.
Also Wednesday, oil prices dropped nearly 3% after an unexpected increase in U.S. inventories. Oil producer Denbury Resources (DNR) sank 5%.
Burlington Stores (BURL), Dollar Tree (DLTR), Dollar General (DG) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) are among companies due to report quarterly earnings on Thursday.
Economic data due Thursday include new jobless claims for the week ended Aug. 20 and durable goods orders for July.
