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Stocks Close Lower As Investors Flee To These 2 Sectors

Small caps led the stocks market lower Tuesday, and while index losses were moderate, breadth was unusually weak.

X The small-cap Russell 2000 slid 1.3%, closing practically at session lows and closing at the lowest level since Sept. 28. Weakness in banking and technology shares appeared to contribute to the Russell's woes.

The Nasdaq composite gave back 0.3% while the S&P 500 fell a fraction after paring losses, and the Dow Jones industrial average finished less than 0.1% higher. Dow component Walt Disney (DIS) rose sharply for a second straight day after reports said 21st Century Fox (FOXA) held talks to sell some assets to Disney, but the talks ended without a deal.

Volume was higher than Monday's levels. Decliners topped advancers by 13-to-5 on the Nasdaq and by 3-to-2 on the NYSE.

Retail and semiconductor stocks were some of the weakest.

Travel booking was the worst-performing industry group. Priceline (PCLN) gave a soft outlook, sending the stock down 14% in major volume. Shares broke below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages.

TripAdvisor (TRIP) plunged to a five-year low after the company reported weak sales for the quarter. The stock has been in a descent for more than three years.

Investors sought refuge in dividend-rich stocks. Utilities and real estate investment trusts were some of Tuesday's leading industry groups.

San Diego-based utility Sempra Energy (SRE) broke out of a cup-without-handle base, topping a 120.27 buy point in low volume.

Portland General Electric (POR) rose past a 48.32 buy point, also in weak volume. Massachusetts-based Eversource Energy (ES) broke out above a 64.29 buy point in average volume.

IBD's property REIT industry group rose 0.4% and was in the top 15 groups. The four utility groups rose 0.6% to 1.2%.

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