More losses for stocks as leadership questions persist

U.S. stocks tumbled Wednesday as the impasse over the presidential election appeared no closer to ending 15 days after the nation went to the polls. Technology stocks sold off for a fifth day, sending the Nasdaq composite index to its lowest level in more than a year. And losses to drug and tobacco stocks weighed on the Dow Jones industrial average as investors handicapping the fast-changing White House impasse sold stocks considered helped by a George W. Bush presidency. In a legal victory for Vice President Al Gore, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that hand recounting in three heavily Democratic counties be used in the final tally. But hours later, officials in one of those counties, Miami-Dade, ended their manual recount of ballots, a possible setback for Gore's bid. Stocks, which came well off their lows on this latest news, fell sharply by day's end. Whatever happens, this much is clear: The protracted battle for the presidency has not helped stocks. The Nasdaq is down 19 percent since Election Day.