Stocks Stage Minor Retreat; Trading Dull: Missile Issues Buoyant
NEW YORK, Oct. 3 (APIÛÓThe stock market went through a gentle and sluggish decline today on the lightest volume in more than a week.</br></br>Turnover was only 2.22 million shares compared with Friday's 3.37 million and was rite smallest since Sept. 22 when 1.97 million shares were traded.</br></br>Dawdling steel production, a cut in the copper price, strikes against Anaconda and General Electric were among dampening factors. At the same time, some analysis said the market may have been "digestingÛªÛª Friday's sharp recovery drive.</br></br>Some of the aircraft-missiles were higher. aided by defense contracts and the belligerent statement of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Assorted tobaccos, utilities and other stocks also advanced, helping to soften the decline.</br></br>The Associated Press average of 60 stocks dropped .30 to 206.00 with the industrials down .90, the rails down .60 and the utilities up .30.