U.S. stocks fell

U.S. stocks fell, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index down for a second day, as a slump in crude oil drove energy producers lower and government data showed that orders for durable goods rose less than forecast.

Stocks fell today after a Commerce Department report showed that bookings for goods meant to last at least three years advanced 2.2 percent, less than projected after a revised 3.6 percent decline the prior month. Bernanke said unemployment remains too high, the economic recovery isn’t guaranteed and policy makers don’t rule out any further options to boost growth.

Dow 13,102.45 -95.28 -0.72%, Nasdaq 3,092.48 -27.87 -0.89%, S&P 500 1,400.03 -12.49 -0.88%

Commodity shares had the biggest losses in the S&P 500 among 10 groups, falling more than 1.8 percent. Crude oil for May delivery tumbled 2.2 percent to $104.95 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Exxon (ХОМ) slipped 1.6 percent to $85.23. Occidental Petroleum dropped 3.7 percent to $94.76.

Concern about the economy weighed on companies whose earnings are most-dependent on growth. Alcoa (АА) retreated 2.2 percent to $9.84. Caterpillar (САТ) lost 3.8 percent to $104.

Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. fell 12 percent to $2.87. The biotechnology company was cut to neutral from overweight at Piper Jaffray Cos., which cited the share price. The stock had gained 85 percent from March 16 through yesterday.

Medco Health Solutions Inc. added 3.5 percent to $71.40 after saying it expects its $29.1 billion takevoer by Express Scripts Inc. to close as soon as next week. Express Scripts will probably get a Federal Trade Commission ruling on the deal as early as March 30, said two people familiar with the case who declined to be identified because the review is private. Express Scripts increased 1.7 percent to $54.10.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. surged 46 percent, the most in the Russell 1000 Index, to $22.51. The maker of the diabetes drug Bydureon rejected a $3.5 billion unsolicited takeover bid from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. earlier this year, two people with knowledge of the matter said.