U.S. stocks fall as inflation data, earnings loom

NEW YORK, July 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks dropped on Monday as investors awaited a slew of corporate earnings reports and key economic data.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 164.31 points, or 0.52 percent, to 31,173.84. The S&P 500 decreased 44.95 points, or 1.15 percent, to 3,854.43. The Nasdaq Composite Index sank 262.71 points, or 2.26 percent, to 11,372.60.

Nine of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors