Technology shares sink broader market in afternoon trading

Stocks were solidly lower in afternoon trading Tuesday, dragged down by big technology companies like Apple and Google. Most sectors in the benchmark S&P 500 index fell as investors continue to focus on corporate earnings and gauge the economic recovery's progress. Earnings and most economic indicators have been signaling a steady recovery, but investors remain concerned about the lingering threat from COVID-19, inflation and other factors that could crimp progress.