Business

Business briefs

Marts down

Stocks extended losses yesterday as investors recalibrated for upcoming negotiations over the “fiscal cliff.” The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 74.73 points, or 0.57 percent, to 12,858. The S&P 500 lost 10.64 points, or 0.76 percent, to 1,383.91. The Nasdaq Composite fell 25.19 points, or 0.86 percent, to 2,912.08.

SEC sleeping

Staffers at the Securities and Exchange Commission failed to encrypt computers containing sensitive information from stock exchanges, leaving the data vulnerable to cyber attacks, Reuters reported, citing sources.

Exports up

The trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in September as exports rose sharply.

LinkedOut

LinkedIn, the biggest professional-networking website, fell 4.8 percent to $96.35 after competitor Monster Worldwide reported third-quarter revenue that trailed estimates.

Jobless claims

Applications for jobless benefits fell by 8,000 to 355,000 in the week ended Nov. 3, the Labor Dept. said as Hurricane Sandy prevented filings.