Apple, Countrywide, and DuPont Among Leaders in Stock Drop-Off

Stocks slid Tuesday amid a bevy of disappointing earnings reports and ongoing fear stemming from the housing slump. Some of the companies taking the brunt of the force included Apple Inc. (NYSE: AAPL), chemical giant DuPont Co. (NYSE: DPT) and Countrywide Financial Corp. (NYSE: CFC), the largest mortgage lender in the country. Homebuilders in the S&P 500 also hit a predictable skid retreating to lows that haven't been seen since October 2003.