Stocks fall after Fed signals June rate hike possible

Stocks fall after Fed signals June rate hike possible

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are dropping in early trading Thursday as telephone and industrial companies continue to drag major indexes lower.

Some high-dividend stocks fell for a second day as investors braced themselves for the likelihood of an interest rate increase in June at the Federal Reserve's next policy meeting.

Policymakers indicated an increase would only be made if the economy and labor market continued to strengthen.

THE QUOTE: "Many of these stocks already had significant moves up and were due for a correction," said Chief Investment Officer Henry Smith of Haverford Trust, referring to high-dividend stocks such as phone companies.

Wal-Mart Stores jumped 9 percent after reporting surprisingly strong sales and releasing an optimistic outlook.