US stocks closed down Wednesday, but off their session lows, as weaker-than-expected private-sector jobs data and a slide in worker productivity eclipsed reports of strength in the services industry.

    The S&P 500 SPX, -0.59% fell 12.25 points, or 0.6%, to close at 2,051.12. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, -0.56% closed down 99.65 points, or 0.6%, at 17,651.26. 

    Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite COMP, -0.79% was down 37.58 points, or 0.8%, at 4,725.64, following a 49-point decline earlier.