end adjustments yesterday as they put cash to use at the quarter's end," said Steve Neimeth, portfolio manager at AIG SunAmerica Asset Management. "Today it seems like the economic news wasn't particularly surprising and the energy markets were relatively flat." U.S. crude for November delivery fell 55 cents to settle at $66.24 a barrel. Even as falling oil prices benefited the broader market, they hurt energy shares, including Exxon Mobil Corp., which fell almost 2 percent, or $1.26, to $63.54 on the NYSE. The S&P Regional Banks Index fell 1 percent after Merrill Lynch cut its ratings on some of its components, including Huntington Bancshares Inc. Huntington shares ended down almost 3 percent, or 66 cents, at $22.47. --more 2356 Local Time 2056 GMT
