S&P 500 Falls a 5th Day Amid Threat of Budget Impasse

U.S. stocks fell, giving the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index its longest slump this year, as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. retreated and concern grew that a political showdown over government spending poses a threat to growth.

Wal-Mart lost 1.5 percent after the retailer told suppliers it’s cutting orders this quarter and next to address rising inventories. J.C. Penney Co. slumped 15 percent as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said the department-store chain’s liquidity will be strained. Stryker Corp. slipped 2.9 percent on an agreement to buy Mako Surgical Corp. for $1.65 billion. Noble Corp. added 1.8 percent after the offshore rig contractor said it plans to spin off about half its fleet.