1.   Also limiting the gains, oil stocks declined as the price of crude oil fell to its lowest in almost a year.

2.   Australian stocks declined, led by banks such as Westpac Banking Corp., amid concern increased competition will cut earnings for the industry.

3.   BRAZILIAN stocks declined, led by market leader Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras SA, amid trading in bimonthly stock options that expire in seven sessions.

4.   But as the session wore on, the market came under pressure from declining technology stocks, which were pulled down in part by a selloff in Intel.

5.   Connecticut stocks declined, led by health insurer Aetna Inc., whose shares fell amid news of state efforts to regulate health maintenance organizations.

6.   German stocks closed mixed, however, as gains in Kaufhof AG and Deutsche Bank AG were offset by declining chemical stocks which fell for the third consecutive day.

7.   GREEK stocks declined, paced by Hellenic Bottling Co., amid fading hopes of a cut in interest rates.

8.   Gaining stocks outnumbered declining stocks almost four to one.

9.   Illinois stocks declined, led by computer parts telemarketer CDW Computer Centers Inc., modem maker U.S. Robotics Corp. and telecommunications company Tellabs Inc.

10.   Japanese stocks declined, led by banks, amid concern about the financial health of banks and companies amid a growing wave of bankruptcies.