Yesterday, the Dow was down 23.65 points (0.13%) at 17,623.05, the NASDAQ was up 2.84 points (0.06%) at 5,034.70, and the S&P 500 slipped 3.97 points (0.19%) to 2,071.18. The Russell 2000 lost 5.86 points (0.50%) to finish at 1,159.50, and the Wilshire 5000 closed 47.10 points (0.22%) lower at 21,566.96.

On the NYSE, 3.2 billion shares changed hands, and on the NASDAQ, 2.7 billion shares traded, with 1.6 declining issues for each advancing issue on both exchanges.

The price of the 10-year Treasury note was up 9/32, decreasing its yield to 2.057%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond increased 20/32, bringing its yield down to 2.869%.

ON THIS DATE: In 1858, Roland Macy opened Macy’s Department Store in New York City. It was Macy’s eighth business adventure, the other seven failed. In 1904, the New York subway system officially opened. It was the first rapid-transit subway system in America. In 1925, Fred Waller received a patent for water skis. In 1938, Du Pont announced “nylon” as the new name for its new synthetic yarn. In 1978, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin were named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize for their progress toward achieving a Middle East accord. In 1997, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 554.26 points. The stock market was shut down for the first time since the 1981 assassination attempt on U.S. President Reagan. In 2002, Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys) became the all-time leading rusher in the NFL when he extended his career yardage to 16,743. He achieved the record in his 193rd game. He also scored his 150th career touchdown.

TUESDAY TRIVIA: The fear of Halloween is called “samhainophobia.”