MARKET SNAPSHOT: U.S. Stocks Fall; S&P 500 Pulls Back From Highs

By Anora Mahmudova and Barbara Kollmeyer, MarketWatch Strategist: 2,040 proving a tough barrier for the S&P 500

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks moved lower on Wednesday, as global equity investors turned cautious amid falling oil prices and heightened geopolitical risks.

The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average pulled back from record levels after logging five consecutive all-time highs.

European equities fell sharply as news of Russian weaponry entering Ukraine stoked fears of escalating violence in the region.

The S&P 500 (SPX) losses were led by utilities and energy sector stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) retreated from all-time highs, with 26 of its 30 components trading in negative territory.

The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) also fell.

A roadblock for the S&P 500: Chris Beauchamp, market analyst at IG, said 2,040 has proved to be a barrier for the S&P 500. "Technical indicators still point to a market that is overbought and looking to pause for breath, with the quieter mid-November period providing an ideal time for a brief consolidation," Beauchamp said in a note. (Also see: Charting a strong bull trend with room to run http://www.marketwatch.com/story/charting-a-strong-bull-trend-with-room-to-run-2014-11-11-12103813.)

Philadelphia Fed President Charles Plosser said interest rates should be raised "sooner rather than later," repeating a familiar message. In a speech in London, he said rising rates aren't inconsistent with a continuing recovery. Plosser is a voting member of the Fed policy committee.

Minneapolis Fed President Narayana Kocherlakota, a voting member of the Fed's policy committee, will give a luncheon talk in Eau Clare, Wisconsin.

U.S. wholesale trade data for September, Wednesday's only important economic data release, are due at 10 a.m. Eastern.

Need to Know: Santa rally is on track, barring another euro crisis

Retailers, banks in the spotlight:Macy's Inc.(M) shares rose, despite the retailer cutting its earnings and sales guidance for the year after posting a disappointing third-quarter sales performance.

Fossil Group Inc.(FOSL) rose after the company topped expectations with third-quarter results and renewed a licensing agreement with Michael Kors Holding Ltd. (KORS).

J.M. Smucker Co.(SJM) shares dropped as the company cut its outlook for the year after its Folgers coffee brand suffered a decline in sales driven by consumers avoiding higher prices.

Shares of Susquehanna Bancshares(SUSQ) jumped 34% in premarket trade after the company agreed to be bought by BB&T Corp. (BBT) in a cash and stock deal valued at $2.5 billion.

Shares of Citi(C) and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.(JPM) shares fell after U.S., Swiss and British regulators fined those banks and three others $3.3 billion in total over allegations they tried to manipulate the foreign exchange market. Read: "Have that my son", "Bravo" -- chat logs from FX probe revealed (and it's no boring read)

Bank stocks fell in London, with shares of HSBC Holdings PLC (HSBC) -- among those banks fined over currency manipulation -- down 0.8%. Asia stocks largely rose, with the China Shanghai Composite Index gaining 1% to close at an almost three-year high.

Oil remains under pressure: Oil prices came under pressure again, with WTI crude (CLZ4) dropping 0.9% as the market continued to fret about oversupply. Gold prices (GCZ4) were flat and the dollar(USDJPY) held on to the Yen115 level as the market awaited news on whether Japan will delay a planned sales tax increase.

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