Stocks fluctuate and then close down

Stocks fluctuated Wednesday and closed with losses, a day after the biggest equities sell-off in more than two months.

At the close on Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average lost 27.6 points, about 0.2 percent, to close at 17,635.4. The Standard & Poor's 500, gave up nearly 4 points, about 0.2 percent, to 2,040.2. The Nasdaq composite dropped nearly 10 points, about 0.2 percent, to nearly 4,850.

Tyson Foods Inc. and Pilgrim's Pride Corp. fell more than 4.5 percent on reports of suspected bird flu in Arkansas.

"The mood has shifted toward a wait-and-see environment as investors await greater clarity on earnings and possible Fed action," said Terry Sandven, who helps oversee $126 billion as chief equity strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management in Minneapolis.