S&P 500 Halts Five-Day Slide on Way to Worst Quarter Since 2011
- Renewed biotech selling, Apple retreat drags Nasdaq lower
- Russell 2000 Index mired in worst losing streak since 2006
Global Metals Collapse Takes Down Miners Too
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index halted a five-day slide, on the way to its worst quarter since 2011, after the benchmark came within five points of its August low before reversing in the final minutes of trading.
Equities swung between gains and losses as health-care companies rebounded, while biotechnology shares erased an early rally and Apple Inc. dragged technology companies lower. The Nasdaq Composite Index was briefly on track to close at an 11-month nadir before trimming its drop. The Russell 2000 Index slumped 0.6 percent to its worst level since October 17 amid its longest losing streak since 2006. The Nasdaq Biotechnology Index fell for an eighth day, the most in nearly seven years.