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US stocks fell, paring the biggest monthly gain since April, as consumer spending slumped and lower- than-estimated earnings from Dell Inc. dragged down technology companies.

Starbucks Corp. and Amazon.com Inc. each lost more than 2% in Nasdaq Stock Market trading after the government said growth in spending slowed to 0.2% in July as incomes decreased 0.7%. Dell, the second-biggest personal-computer maker, posted its biggest drop since 2000.

Constellation Energy Group Inc. declined 2.6% and helped drive all 31 utility companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index lower after Jefferies Group Inc. said the largest US power marketer may have to sell more shares.

The S&P 500 slipped 17.85 points, or 1.4%, to 1,282.83, ending a three-day advance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 171.22, or 1.5%, to 11,543.96. The Nasdaq Composite Index retreated 44.12 to 2,367.52. Three stocks fell for each that rose on the New York Stock Exchange.

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