Factory Orders Fall, Markets Close Lower

The markets closed lower with the Dow dropping 78 points to 10,751 as new factory orders fell. Nasdaq tumbled 26 points to 2344.

On the upside

Dynamex (Nasdaq: DDMX) agreed to be taken private by Greenbriar Equity in a deal valued at approximately $210 million.

Liz Claiborne (NYSE: LIZ) was one of the top percentage gainers among retail stocks in the third quarter.

Ventas will pay approximately $41.5 million to acquire Sunrise Senior Living's (NYSE: SRZ) joint venture interests.

On the downside

American Express (NYSE: AXP) will challenge the Department of Justice's allegations of antitrust violations.

Huron Consulting (Nasdaq: HURN) cut its full year revenue guidance and announced the sale of its disputes and investigations business to Grant Thornton.

UBS analyst Uche Orji warned that Micron Technology's (Nasdaq: MU) fourth quarter earnings may fall short.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 5 to 2 on both the NYSE and on Nasdaq.