Wall St ends near lows

U.S. shares closed down,dropping nearly 1 per cent across the board as batch of weaker-than-expected economic data overshadowed Federal Reserve's plan to maintain its stimulus program.

Dow Jones Industrial Average index dropped 138.85 points, or 0.94 per cent, to end at 14,700.95.

S&P 500 index fell 14.87 points, or 0.93 per cent to 1,582.70.

Nasdaq declined 29.66 points, or 0.89 per cent to 3,299.13.

All key S&P sectors finished in the red, led by energy and materials shares.