Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock...

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. Credit: Getty Images / Spencer Platt

Financial markets broke a four-day hot streak, ending with losses, as a drop in the price of oil dragged energy companies lower.

The energy sector in the Standard & Poor's 500 index sank 1.7 percent, more than twice as much as the rest of the market. Small-company stocks and transportation shares also fell sharply as traders unloaded riskier assets.

The market started higher, then turned lower at midday as the price of oil fell. Traders have worried about a steady decline in the price of oil as global demand for energy recedes.

The S & P 500 index fell 14.17 points, or 0.73 percent, to 1,927.11.

The Dow Jones industrial average gave up 153.49 points, or 0.92 percent, to 16,461.32. The Nasdaq composite fell 36.63 points, or 0.83 percent, to 4,382.85.

LI woman's accused stalker in court ... Blakeman discusses campaign priorities ... LI Works: Making stone countertops ... Westbury Gardens hosts Lego exhibit ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

LI woman's accused stalker in court ... Blakeman discusses campaign priorities ... LI Works: Making stone countertops ... Westbury Gardens hosts Lego exhibit ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

LI woman's accused stalker in court ... Blakeman discusses campaign priorities ... LI Works: Making stone countertops ... Westbury Gardens hosts Lego exhibit ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

LI woman's accused stalker in court ... Blakeman discusses campaign priorities ... LI Works: Making stone countertops ... Westbury Gardens hosts Lego exhibit ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

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