Weak Treasury auction sends stocks lower

NEW YORK -- Stocks are finishing lower after weak demand at a Treasury bond auction touched off worries about the government's ability to raise funds to fight the recession.

The government had to pay greater interest than expected in an auction of 30-year Treasurys. That is worrisome to traders because it could signal that it will become harder for Washington to finance its ambitious economic recovery plans.

The Dow Jones industrial average is down 102 at 8,410, the same amount it rose Wednesday. The S&P 500 index is down 12 at 907. The Nasdaq composite index is down 43 at 1,716.

About two stocks fell for every one that rose on New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to a heavy 2 billion shares.