U.S.stocks finish lower, oil, dollar down

NEW YORK, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. stock indexes needed a late rally to avoid even heavier losses Thursday in a stormy session.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's remarks about the economy before Congress had wide-reaching effects with oil prices down, the dollar sliding further and technology shares buffeted amid growing concerns over consumer spending.

The Dow Jones industrial average rallied to finish down 33.73 points, or 0.25 percent at 13,266.29. The Nasdaq composite was down 52.78. or 1.92 percent, at 2,696. The S&P 500 Index was down 0.85 points, or .06 percent, at 1,474.77.

The volume on the New York Stock Exchange was 2.19 billion shares traded with 1,578 stocks advancing and 1,712 declining.

Crude oil futures for December delivery fell after the Fed chief’s remarks and prices were down 91 cents at $95.46 a barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Bernanke said the U.S. economy is expected to grow at a moderate pace, but warned higher inflation and weaker economic growth could be in store.

The dollar continued to slide after the Bank of England and European Central Bank both kept interest rates steady. The euro edged up against the dollar to $1.4664, and the dollar further fell on the yen.

Bonds were uneven, the benchmark 10-year note rising 8/32, yielding 4.299 percent Thursday.