TRIPLE-DIGITS, AGAIN: The Dow Jones industrial average closed at 12,617, down 104 points, the third day in a row of triple-digit losses. The last time that happened was September, when fears were rife that the U.S. was on the brink of another recession.

PROFIT PROBLEMS: Investors sold on disappointing earnings reports from big U.S. companies like United Parcel Service. The world’s biggest package delivery company dropped 5 percent after cutting its earnings forecast for the all of 2012. Another loser, DuPont, reported income and revenue that was lower than analysts expected.

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