U.S. stocks ended lower on Wednesday, breaking a three-day winning streak, as refreshed concerns about the European debt crisis continued to weigh on the market.
Major indexes traded higher before the sell-off accelerated in late session and European debt problems still dominated sentiment. Investors were cautiously expecting eurozone policy makers to come up with plans to stem the crisis.
All eyes were on Germany as the German parliament is set to hold a crucial vote on a controversial package of measures to boost the eurozone rescue fund.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that Germany will do "what it can" to help Greece regain market confidence.
Meanwhile, the Finnish parliament approved a package to expand the European Financial Stability Facility.
On the economic news front, the U.S. Commerce Department said durable goods orders fell slightly by 0.1 percent to 201.8 billion dollars, an indication that business activities were still weak.
The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 179.79 points, or 1.61 percent, to 11,010.90. The Standard & Poor's 500 fell 24.32 points, or 2.07 percent, to 1,151.06. The Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled 55.25 points, or 2.17 percent, to 2,491.58.
