Poor results from Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, caused a drop in blue chip stocks for a fifth day. Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s disappointing sales forecast and economic data that raised concerns about inflation combined with slow growth.

Wal-Mart forecast flat November sales at U.S. stores open at least a year. Its shares declined 1.2 percent to $48.26 on the NYSE and were the top drag on the Dow industrials.

In addition, Target Corp. reported weaker-than-expected same-store sales in October. The fall in Target sales suggested that Wal-Mart's problems may be broader than first thought. Target shares fell 0.9 percent to $57.16.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 21.69 points, or 0.18 percent, at 12,009.33. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 1.59 points, or 0.12 percent, at 1,366.22. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 2.26 points, or 0.10 percent, at 2,332.09.

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