Stocks fall on concerns about Greece

Stocks halted their steady climb Friday after renewed concerns about Greece's ability to pay its debts left investors questioning a global economic recovery.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell after advancing for eight straight days. Broader indexes also retreated.

Greece said it might need to turn to the International Monetary Fund for support if European leaders can't agree on a bailout plan next week. Worries about the country's ability to handle its massive debt load have set off periodic bouts of stock selling in the United States and overseas over the past two months.

"The Greek situation is affecting the dollar," said Peter Cardillo, at Avalon Partners Inc. in Manhattan. The dollar, regaining its appeal as a safe investment, rose against the euro and other currencies. Concerns remain that debt problems could spill over to other weak European countries like Spain and Portugal, Cardillo said.

The Dow fell 37.19, or 0.3 percent, to 10,741.98. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 5.92, or 0.5 percent, to 1,159.90. The Nasdaq composite index fell 16.87, or 0.7 percent, to 2,374.41.- AP