Stocks dropped in early trading as investors reacted to rising interest rates in the U. S. while the Bank<br />of England came unexpectedly close to raising U. K. interest rates for the first time in 10 years.<br />NEW YORK — U. S. stocks fell Thursday as technology firms and small companies skidded.<br />But industrial companies rose on new signs U. S. manufacturing has steadied, and utilities and real estate companies did well.<br />On Wednesday the Federal Reserve raised U. S. interest rates for the third time in about six months,<br />and suggested it will raise rates again later this year.<br />The Russell 2000 index of small-company stocks fell 7.49 points, or 0.5 percent, to 1,410.08.
