Stocks fall on retail sales news

Stock prices have finished the day lower yet again, with the Dow losing about 250 points on the day.
   
Stocks were battered today amid more gloom about the outlook, made worse by a sharp decline reported in December retail sales.
   
Also today, the Federal Reserve says the economy started the new year on weaker footing and the outlook appears equally dim.
   
The Fed’s survey of business conditions nationwide, collected between late November and Jan. 5, suggests the economic picture has darkened over the last two months.