Stocks cut losses on Monday after September manufacturing data came in better than expected, assuaging fears that the United States is heading back into recession.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 32.61 points, or 0.30 percent, to 10,880.77. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index dipped 3.06 points, or 0.27 percent, to 1,128.36. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 11.98 points, or 0.50 percent, to 2,403.42.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)