US markets soft as bets on rate rises mount

U.S. stocks fell the most in three weeks, as better-than-forecast economic data and comments by Federal Reserve officials bolstered bets for an interest-rate increase this year. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1 percent, after a third straight weekly advance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 190.48 points, or 1 percent. The Dow ended a six-session stretch without a 100-point intraday swing, the longest in almost a year. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 1.1 percent… Better-than-estimated increases in capital goods orders and new-home sales came after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen indicated the central bank will raise borrowing costs this year if the economy improves as she expects. Fed Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester echoed her comments on Monday, saying the U.S. economy is close to the point where it can support higher rates. Full article: (VIEW LINK)